J'khand HC directs CBI to expedite fodder scam case hearing

Ranchi, Mar 9 (UNI) The Jharkhand High Court today directed the CBI special judges to expedite the multi-crore fodder scam cases at the earliest and granted permission to release Investigating Officer (IO) Bhuri Singh in one of the cases on health grounds.

The court had granted four weeks to the CBI to submit its supplementary status report in connection with the proceedings of the fodder scam cases.

A Monitoring Bench, comprising Chief Justice Muthuswamy Karpagyavinaygam and Justice N N Tiwary, passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by one Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.

During the course of argument Rajesh Kumar, appearing on behalf of the CBI, pleaded that Bhuri Singh be granted permission to be released in one of the cases on ground of ill health. Mr Kumar said the IO needed special treatment for which he was going to Chandigarh.

Mr Kumar pointed out to the court that earlier the Monitoring Bench had directed the CBI not to change the set up of Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), adding neither the AHD staff nor the CBI officers and advocates could be changed without the court's permission.

On Friday last Mr Kumar submitted a supplementary affidavit before the court. As per the earlier order, the CBI informed the court that out of 7171 witnesses 2966 had been examined and the remaining were yet to be examined.

There are a total of 53 AHD cases with the CBI special court. Out of which 16 cases had been disposed of, one case had been closed on February 28 last, and in 30 AHD cases prosecution evidence was on.

In addition, in three other cases defence witnesses were being examined and the remaining three cases are on the stage of argument.

Many politicians, including Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and former chief minister Jagganth Mishra, were made accused in the multi-crore fodder scam case. Mr Prasad had to resign from the post of chief minister after he was made accused in the case.

UNI