CBI court orders daily hearing of fodder scam cases

A CBI court today ordered hearing on daily basis till framing of charges against former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Jagannath Mishra and 32 other accused in the multi-crore rupees fodder scam.

Designated CBI court judge BK Jain passed the order while hearing the discharge petitions filed by some of the accused persons.

The judge directed all the accused to ensure their personal appearance in the court on the date of their discharge petitions when they would be heard.

Altogether 30 out of the 34 accused persons, including Mishra, JD(U) MP Jagdish Sharma - the then state assembly's public accounts committee (PAC) chairman, and former RJD MP RK Rana were present in the court.

Prasad and three other accused persons could not appear as they were indisposed.

RJD supremo's counsel CR Sinha said his client had sought exemption from personal appearance at today's hearing due to illness.

The judge, however, ordered Prasad's personal appearance before the court once he recovered from illness.

While Prasad's counsel has already concluded his arguments on the discharge petition, Mishra may not appear before the court once again due to health-related problems on Monday when his discharge petition comes up for hearing.

The fodder case was filed against Prasad, Mishra and 32 other accused for hatching a conspiracy for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs47 lakh from Bhagalpur treasury between 1995 and 1996 when the former was the chief minister of the state.