SC stays CBI transfer of fodder scam sleuths

NEW DELHI: After the coalgate, the CBI may have to do some more explaining in the Supreme Court over the transfer of four key fodder scam investigators – DySPs AK Jha, BK Singh, Dasrath Murmoo and Ashesh Kumar – in Ranchi.

Three of these officers — Jha, Singh and Kumar were investigating and pairvi officers (who handle day-to-day trial) in cases against two former Bihar chief ministers - Lalu Prasad Yadav and Dr Jagannath Mishra.

The multi-crore fodder scam, pertaining to illegal withdrawal of money from treasuries on the basis of fake bills, was unearthed in 1996 when Lalu was the CM.

On a petition from JD (U) Lok Sabha member Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the SC on Monday stayed the transfer of the officers. “The SC has sought a reply from the CBI on my petition,” said Singh.

Singh has argued in his petition that the transfer of these officials will delay the trials.

“These officers have served in Ranchi for more than 10 years. According to CBI rules, we cannot keep them at a station for a longer period. Before transferring these officers, we took permission from the Jharkhand HC as we cannot transfer any fodder scam officer without permission of the court. The court allowed us to transfer these officers on the condition that we will produce them before the trial court as and when required. There is no conspiracy,” said a senior CBI official on the condition of anonymity.