Fodder scam: Court rejects Lalu's application

Patna, Aug 18: A special CBI court today (Aug 18) rejected the petitions of Bihar's former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jagannath Mishra, besides nine others, seeking to exonerate them of charges in a case related to the multi-crore rupees fodder scam.

Designated CBI judge B K Jain, who had on August 5 reserved his order, turned down the applications.

The court also dismissed similar petitions filed by nine others, including former RJD minister and ex-MP Vidya Sagar Nishad, besides Jagdish Sharma, JD-U Lok Sabha member from Jehanabad and former BJP MLA Dhruv Bhagat.

The judge fixed August 29 as the date for framing of charges against these accused and asked them to be present on the day.

The case relates to the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 47 lakh from Banka and Bhagalpur treasuries through "forged and fake" bills by the state Animal Husbandry Department between 1995-96.

The CBI had filed chargesheet against 44 persons on March 31, 2003 and the court had taken its cognisance on April 30 that year.

Of the 44 accused, six have died so far, two have turned approvers, while two others are still evading arrest. Trial is pending against 34 at present. Of the 34, eleven persons, including Prasad, Mishra, besides Nishad, and Sharma, former BJP MLA Bhagat, had filed the discharge petitions in the case.

PTI