Fodder scam case: Lalu sentenced to 3.5 years in jail, can't take bail in Ranchi court

Earlier, RJD leader Rabri Devi called an emergency meeting of the party before Lalu Prasad Yadav's sentencing in fodder scam case.

The Ranchi Special CBI Court sentenced former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav to 3.5 years in jail and imposed Rs 5 lakh fine in a fodder scam case. Lalu Prasad Yadav and 15 others were convicted in a fodder scam case 21 years after it had surfaced while acquitting six others including another former chief minister Jagannath Mishra. The sentencing was heard via video conference.

Other convicts Phool Chand, Mahesh Prasad, Bake Julius, Sunil Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Sudhir Kumar and Raja Ram were also sentenced to 3.5 years in jail and fined Rs 5 lakh each.

The Judge said that none of the convicts in the scam could take bail from Ranchi Court. They will have to move High Court.

Earlier, Judge said, "An open jail is best for these people (convicts), as they also have experience of cow farming'

Meanwhile, RJD leader Rabri Devi called an emergency meeting of the party before Lalu Prasad Yadav's sentencing in fodder scam case.

Lalu Prasad Yadav's advocate on Friday had filed a plea before Ranchi Special CBI Court demanding minimum punishment to the RJD Chief on health grounds.

The Special CBI court had postponed the sentencing twice this week. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and 15 others were convicted in a fodder scam case. Lalu Prasad was convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury during 1991-94. He was sent to Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi.

"Lalu Prasad Yadav has blessings of the almighty and we have faith that he will get justice. I am sure our Chief Laluji will attend RJD's crucial meeting tomorrow" says Bihar party chief Ramchandra Purve. The Special CBI Court was supposed to sentence the convicts on January 3. With the passing away of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad, the sentencing was postponed.

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