GOT CALLS FROM LALU MEN: JUDGE
Quantum of punishment may be declared through video conferencing
The special CBI court which was to pronounce the quantum of punishment for RJD chief Lalu Yadav and other accused on Thursday has now deferred it to Friday.
The judge also said that he had received phone calls from well-wishers of the RJD boss but did not elaborate.
Sources claim that the court of CBI judge, Shiv Pal Singh, was hearing cases alphabetically and could only take up cases from A to K on Thursday.
The rest of the cases, lawyers said, are likely to be heard on Friday.
There is also an indication that the judge may pronounce the quantum of punishment for Lalu Yadav through video conferencing.
The CBI court, on December 23, had found Lalu Yadav and others guilty of furnishing fake bills and vouchers for withdrawal of `89.27 lakh from Deoghar treasury for fodder procurement between 1991 and 1994. Lalu Yadav was the Chief Minister of Bihar during the period.
The special CBI court which was to pronounce the quantum of punishment for RJD chief Lalu Yadav and other accused on Thursday has now deferred it to Friday.
Mr Yadav was summoned to the courtroom in the second half but was sent back to jail again after court decided to take up his case on Friday.
The Opposition, however, reacted strongly after reports regarding Mr Yadav’s men making phone calls to the CBI judge surfaced. Political leaders pointed out that the CBI judge himself made the stunning claims that “a few of Mr Yadav’s men had called him up”.
Mr Yadav, known for his funny liners, said in the court, “It is very cold here (in jail)”.
CBI Special Court Judge Shiv Pal Singh, hearing the case, was quick to reply, “Then, play tabla (musical instrument)”.
During the course of proceedings in the packed court room, the judge told Mr Yadav that he had read the latter’s record and had vigilance remained tight, such a thing (fodder scam) would not have happened.
The judge further commented that the RJD chief did not act promptly on which Mr Yadav in his characteristic style said “I am also an advocate.”
Mr Yadav is an LLB from Patna University.
The judge also informed Mr Yadav about the contempt notices to his son and former Bihar deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav, RJD leaders Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Shivanand Tiwari and Congress leader Manish Tiwari.