Fodder Scam: Lalu Prasad Yadav Sentenced to 14-Year Jail in Dumka Treasury Case, Fined Rs 60 Lakh
According to reports, the cumulative prison term for Lalu, owing to his conviction in the four cases, will amount to 20.5 years.
New Delhi, Mar 24: The Special CBI Court in Ranchi, which convicted RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fourth fodder scam earlier in the week, pronounced two seperate jail terms of seven years each.
The bench headed by Special Judge Shiv Pal Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh each, based upon his conviction under the separate provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The fourth fodder scam case is linked to the fraudulent withdrawals from Dumka treasury from December 1995 to January 1996, amounting to Rs 3.18 crore.
The sentencing comes a couple of months after Lalu was convicted in the second and third cases linked to the fodder scam, being announced a punishment of 3.5-year and 5-year prison terms respectively.
The first conviction of Lalu in the case related to fodder scam came in 2013.
According to reports, the cumulative prison term for Lalu, owing to his conviction in the four cases, will amount to 20.5 years.
Lalu's counsel Prabhat Kumar, however, claims the jail term will run concurrently, rather than consecutively. As per his claims, Lalu would spend a maximum of seven years in jail.
Reacting to the judgement, JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said, "This marks not only the end of Lalu Prasad Yadav, but also the RJD. It is disappointing that at this stage of his life, he has to serve such a long duration behind the bars."
Tyagi appealed the RJD to refrain from targeting the state government over his conviction. "This is a decision taken by the honourable court. The RJD should neither target the JD(U)-BJP combine, nor find any casteist vendetta in this," he said.
Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad, while objecting against Lalu's conviction and ex-CM Jagannath Mishra's acquittal in the third case linked to fodder scam, accused the court of targeting the former due to his "lower caste".
His remarks, however, were negated by Lalu who appealed the bench to not to press contempt charges against his party leaders and cadres.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 24, 2018 11:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).