Fodder scam: Lalu to record statement in CBI court

RJD chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad will record his statement in the fodder scam case and appear in two other Animal Husbandry Department scam cases, in separate CBI courts in Ranchi on Monday.

His statement will be recorded by special CBI judge A.K. Rai under CrPC 313 (power to examine the accused) in connection with RC 64A/96 pertaining to illegal withdrawal of Rs.96 lakh from Deogarh Treasury in 1990s, according to one of his advocates Prabhat Kumar.

Kumar said Prasad will also appear in the same court in connection with RC 38A/96 pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.3.97 crore from Dumka treasury in the 1990s.

He will also appear in the court of Balmukund Rai in another fodder scam case RC 47A/96 pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.184 crore from Doranda Treasury allegedly during his chief ministerial tenure.

Prasad’s counsel will argue day after Monday.

Special CBI judge A.K. Rai had on 1 July dismissed Prasad’s petition pleading not to be tried for the same offence in another fodder scam after being convicted in the RC 20/96 case in September last year.

In December last year, Prasad had filed the petition under section 300 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and sub-section (1) of section 220 that states person once convicted or acquitted will not be tried for the same offence.

On 30 September last year, Prasad was convicted and on October 3 sentenced to five years imprisonment in RC 20A/96 fodder case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.37.7 crore from Chaibasa Treasury.

Meanwhile, RJD Jharkhand unit spokesman Manoj Kumar said Prasad reached Ranchi on Sunday.