Court asks Lalu why he needs exemption

A special CBI court in Ranchi on Thursday asked Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad to explain why he was citing the presidential election as a reason for seeking exemption from personal appearances when he wasn’t eligible to vote.

Prasad had sought exemption from court appearances in a fodder scam case because he was busy preparing for the July 17 electoral contest.

Following this, special CBI judge Shivpal Singh asked: “You cannot participate in the presidential poll because you can’t vote. Why, then, do you need an exemption from making personal appearances?”

In his response, Prasad explained that as the national president of his party, he was required to hold meetings with party legislators to plan and strategise political moves. “I have fully abided with each and every order of the court.

If the court requires my presence, I will readily come. However, my humble request should be considered at least for the time being,” he said.

The farm worker alleged in his complaint to the police that the girl’s father and relatives assaulted him and did not spare his younger son when he tried to stop them. HT PHOTO