Supreme Court Hears CBI’s Appeal Of Lalu Yadav’s Bail In Fodder Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged the bail granted to former Chief Minister of Bihar, Lalu Yadav, in the fodder scam case in the Supreme Court.

The CBI has approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Jharkhand High Court to grant bail to Lalu Yadav in four cases related to the fodder scam. The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on the CBI’s petition for August 25.

The CBI has challenged the Jharkhand High Court’s orders granting bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav in four cases related to the multi-million dollar fodder scam (Dumka, Chaibasa, Dhoranda, and Deoghar treasuries).

The CBI seeks to have Lalu Yadav’s bail cancelled. Lalu Yadav is accused in five cases related to the fodder scam, and he has been found guilty in all five cases.

The Fodder Scam Background:

– In January 1996, the fodder scam was exposed, revealing embezzlement of millions of rupees in the Animal Husbandry Department of the Bihar government. At that time, Bihar and Jharkhand were part of the same state, and Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Chief Minister. The scam involved an estimated amount of 950 crore rupees.
– In March 1996, the Patna High Court handed over the investigation of the scam to the CBI. In June 1997, the CBI filed its chargesheet. This was the first time Lalu Prasad Yadav’s name appeared as an accused in the chargesheet related to the scam.
– Following the chargesheet, Lalu Yadav resigned from the position of Chief Minister. His wife, Rabri Devi, became the Chief Minister of Bihar in July 1997.
– In 2000, Bihar and Jharkhand were separated into two distinct states. The case was transferred to the Jharkhand High Court. The trial in the CBI special court for this case began in February 2002. Lalu Yadav was sentenced for the first time in September 2013 for his involvement in this scam.

Lalu Yadav’s Sentences in Different Cases:

1. Chaibasa Treasury Case:
Lalu Yadav was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 25 lakh rupees for embezzlement of 37.7 crore rupees. He is out on bail in this case.

2. Deoghar Treasury Case:
Lalu Yadav was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined 5 lakh rupees for embezzlement of 89.27 lakh rupees. He is also out on bail in this case.

3. Chaibasa Treasury Case (Second Case):
Lalu Yadav was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 5 lakh rupees for embezzlement of 33.13 crore rupees. He is out on bail in this case as well.

4. Dumka Treasury Case:
Lalu Yadav was sentenced to 14 years in prison and fined 60 lakh rupees for embezzlement of 3.76 crore rupees. He was granted bail in this case by the Jharkhand High Court in April 2021.

5. Doranda Treasury Case:
Lalu Yadav was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 60 lakh rupees for embezzlement of 139.5 crore rupees. He was also granted bail in this case based on his deteriorating health.