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SC orders criminal trial of Lalu in fodder scam: BJP attacks Nitish Kumar, RJD puts up brave face

Appreciating the SC's order to conduct a criminal trial of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam case, the BJP on Monday said that there is no law and order in Bihar as the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself is involved with the culprits.

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Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav
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Appreciating the Supreme Court’s order to conduct a criminal trial of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam case, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that there is no law and order in Bihar as the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself is involved with the culprits.

‘Nitish ji used to say that he will not compromise with any corruption, but now he has an alliance with fodder scam culprits. This shows there is no law and order in Bihar,’ BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI.

He added that the BJP supports the judgement of the apex court. Echoing similar sentiments, another BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav said that Bihar has been facing difficulties because of the fodder scam.

‘It’s natural that you get what you deserve. I don’t understand why Nitish Kumar is in alliance with such culprits. We will accept law of the Supreme Court and see the judgment,’ he added.

Welcoming the Supreme Court’s verdict on reviving criminal conspiracy charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief, Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with the mid-1995 fodder scam said the legal procedures related to it would be welcomed by it.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), spokesperson Manoj Jha told ANI, ‘ We always wanted the trial. Therefore the usage of words like ‘setback’ and ‘jolt’ is mere hype created by the media. Our legal battle will help us combat the political battle as well. We respect and welcome the legal proceedings and have full faith in the apex court.’

The party said the very fact that the whole trial will be wrapped up within the nine months is indeed a relief, as, it will prove innocence of the so-called accused swiftly.

‘Do not forget the same Supreme Court gave us a clean chit in the disproportionate asset (DA) case. Therefore, this time we will be given the clean chit as well thus the short nine month time slot is fair enough,’ Jha added. 

The Supreme Court allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s plea challenging the Jharkhand High Court's order of dropping charges against the former Bihar chief minister in the fodder scam case.

53 cases were registered for embezzlement of funds on the pretext of buying fodder for cattle. In 2014, the Jharkhand High Court had given relief to the RJD supremo and others by dropping charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and prevention of corruption in the fodder scam. The court had quashed the cases on the grounds that a person convicted in one case could not be tried in similar cases based on same witnesses and evidences.

However, the CBI had contended that though the cases have arisen from the fodder scam, they are different in nature as different amounts were involved from different treasuries. The apex court earlier on April 20 reserved its judgement in the case and asked all parties concerned to give their submissions within a week.

The court also heard the plea filed by RJD supremo challenging his jail sentence in connection with the mid-1990s fodder scam case. The fodder scam relates to fraudulent withdrawal of around Rs. 1,000 crore by the Animal Husbandry department from various districts when Lalu was the Bihar chief minister from 1990 to 1997.

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