CBI back to haunt Lalu Prasad with fodder case

Days after his party emerged as the single-largest entity in Bihar assembly trouncing the BJP-led NDA, the CBI has sought to put Lalu Prasad in the dock in a fodder scam case.

The probe agency has requested the Supreme Court (SC) to revive corruption charges against the former Bihar chief minister in one of the several fodder scam cases registered against him and 33other persons for allegedly withdrawing more than ` 85 lakh from the Deoghar treasury.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, the CBI asserted Lalu was incorrect in claiming that he could not be prosecuted for corruption in the Deoghar case because he was already convicted of similar charges in the Chaibasa case wherein he allegedly misappropriated ` 37.70 crore from the treasury in 1994-95.

Lalu was sentenced to a fiveyear jail term and is currently on bail since December 13, 2013.

But his conviction led to his immediate disqualification from Lo kS ab ha and he became in eligible to contest polls for 11 years.

CBI has filed an appeal before the SC against the Jharkhand HC’s order discharging Lalu under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the Deoghar case.

Accepting Lalu’s contention, the HC had held he already stood convicted of similar charges in the Chaibasa case. It ruled that if Lalu continued to face prosecution, it would amount to double jeopardy that was impermissible under law.

But, the HC had ordered continuation of proceedings against him under the IPC sections – for giving false information to cause disappearance and attempting to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment.