Lalu Prasad Yadav held guilty in multi-million fodder scam

Ranchi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with 14 others, has been held guilty in the multi-million fodder scam by the Special CBI court here on Saturday. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on January 3, 2018.

Pronouncing the verdict, Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court judge Shivpal Singh, however, acquitted Jagannath Mishra, Dhruv Bhagat and Vidya Sagar and four others of all charges in the fodder scam.

What Lalu said after conviction in fodder scam?

After being held guilty, Lalu Yadav attacked on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying, "This is BJP's propaganda of lies. Layer of bias and hatred will be removed and truth will prevail anyhow."

https://twitter.com/laluprasadrjd/status/944520925189324800

https://twitter.com/laluprasadrjd/status/944521483342176256

In another tweet, he said, "Powerful people and powerful classes always managed to divide society into ruling and the ruled classes. And whenever anyone from the lower hierarchy challenged this unjust order, they would be deliberately punished."

https://twitter.com/laluprasadrjd/status/944522355656736768

The case relates to fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 85 lakh from Deoghar district treasury.

Police has taken Lalu Yadav and the other convicts under custody and will keep them in Birsa Munda jail till January 3.

The court was scheduled to deliver verdict in six cases against 22 accused, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, former CM Jagannath Mishra, Vidyasagar Nishad, RK Rana, Jagdish Sharma and Dhruv Bhagat.

Also Read: Fodder Scam Case Verdict Today: Lalu has full faith in judiciary

Earlier in the day on Saturday, Lalu along with his son Tejashvi Yadav returned to the guest house, where they were staying.

Speaking to media earlier in the day, the RJD chief said, "I have faith that I will get justice. Whatever be the judgment, I appeal to people of Bihar to maintain law and order."

Lalu's son Tejashvi also said that he has full faith in the Indian judiciary. He said, "We trust the judiciary & hope the verdict will be in our favor. Just like BJP propaganda was busted in 2G Scam and Adarsh Scam, similar will happen now."

It may be mentioned that Saturday is the last working day of this year. The courts will remain closed till January 1, 2018.

Also Read: Lalu Yadav held guilty; Timeline of Fodder Scam

In all, there were 34 accused in the case, out of which 11 died during the course of the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted the crime.

The trial in two other cases is going on in the special CBI court here.

The trial in three cases of Lalu Prasad and Jagannath Mishra gained momentum in May this year after the Supreme Court directed the special court to complete the trial in nine months.