New Delhi, 14 July. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Chief Minister of Bihar Lalu Prasad Yadav has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in the Deoghar fodder scam case. The Supreme Court rejected the petition of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had demanded cancellation of the bail granted to Lalu Yadav. The Supreme Court said that it does not want to interfere with the bail order of the Jharkhand High Court, especially when almost seven years have passed since that order was issued. The court also directed that the High Court should expedite the hearing of the case.
What did the Supreme Court say?
During the hearing, the Supreme Court said that the CBI’s appeal is pending since 2018 and it would not be appropriate to interfere in the bail order after such a long time. On this basis, the court rejected the appeal of CBI while maintaining the bail of Lalu Yadav.
What was the argument of CBI?
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. appeared on behalf of CBI. Raju argued that Lalu Yadav’s bail plea had been rejected twice earlier. Later the High Court granted him bail on the ground that he had completed 50 percent of his sentence. CBI said that this ground was not correct because the sentences given in different cases were not concurrent sentences. Therefore the period of punishment should have been calculated differently.
What is Deoghar fodder scam?
Deoghar fodder scam is one of the much talked about Rs 950 crore fodder scam cases. This case is related to fraudulent withdrawal of money from the government treasury through the Animal Husbandry Department in various districts of Bihar. This scam came to light after a raid in the Animal Husbandry Department in 1996. In June 1997, CBI made Lalu Prasad Yadav an accused in this case. It is alleged that between 1992 and 1995, when Lalu Yadav was the Chief Minister of Bihar and also held the Finance and Animal Husbandry departments, government funds were illegally embezzled. At that time Jharkhand was a part of Bihar. Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in five cases related to the fodder scam and has also been sentenced in various cases. At present he is on bail on the basis of health related reasons.
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