Sentence for Lalu Yadav in fodder scam case deferred till tomorrow
Patna, Jan 3 (IBNS) : RJD chief Lalu Yadav, convicted in the multi-million-rupee fodder scam, will receive his quantum of sentence on Thursday, reports said.
The sentence was to have announced on Wednesday, but it was deferred by a day after the court was informed that no lawyer be would be available for argument because of a condolence meet held by the bar association.
Lalu Yadav, who was lodged in Ranchi's Birsa Munda Central jail, was brought to the special court on Wednesday for sentencing.
Many leaders and workers of the RJD as well as members of his family thronged the court premises.
A contempt notice was issued against Yadav's son Tejashwi and party leader Raghubansh Prasad Singh for speaking against the court.
Media reports quoted the opinions of lawyers stating that the veteran politician can be awarded three to seven years in prison.
Lalu Yadav faces trial in three more cases relating to the fodder scam, locally called the "chara ghotala".
He was convicted by the special court on Dec 23.
His lawyer told media on Tuesday that he will seek minimum punishment for his client.
In the fodder scam case, out of 22 accused, 16 were convicted. However, former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra was acquitted.
The case pertains to an alleged withdrawal of Rs. 89.27 lakh from Deoghar district treasury between 1994 and 1996.
Lalu Prasad has already been convicted by trial court and sentenced to five years jail term in Chaibasa treasury withdrawal case connected to the fodder scam.
For him he conviction in 2013 invited a ban on running for office.
Lalu's two sons, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, are likely to run the party from now on.
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