26 sentenced to prison in fodder case

Ranchi, Feb 2: A special CBI court on Thurrsday sentenced 26 persons, including ten former officials of the animal husbandry department, to varying jail terms for fraudulent withdrawal of about Rs 67.49 lakh from Sahibganj treasury in the 1990s.

Special Judge G K Singh sentenced former Budget and Accounts officer (AHD Patna) Braj Bhushan Prasad for five years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 6 lakh.

The court also awarded prison terms upto four years and imposed varying penalty up to Rs 5 lakh to other nine former AHD officials in the fodder case. A total of sixteen suppliers were sentenced to prison between one year and five years and the court slapped varying fines. Six persons were arrested immediately after the judgement was pronounced.

A total of 25 out of 26 persons were present during pronouncement of the judgement while the court issued warrants against the absentee.All were on bail.

PTI