Patna: A special CBI court on Thursday rejected the
petitions of Bihar's former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav
and Jagannath Mishra, besides nine others, seeking to
exonerate them of charges in a case related to the multi-crore
rupees fodder scam.
Designated CBI judge B K Jain, who had on August 5
reserved his order, turned down the applications.
The court also dismissed similar petitions filed by nine
others, including former RJD minister and ex-MP Vidya Sagar
Nishad, besides Jagdish Sharma, JD-U Lok Sabha member from
Jehanabad and former BJP MLA Dhruv Bhagat.
The judge fixed August 29 as the date for framing of
charges against these accused and asked them to be present on
the day.
The case relates to the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of
Rs 47 lakh from Banka and Bhagalpur treasuries through "forged
and fake" bills by the state Animal Husbandry Department
between 1995-96.
The CBI had filed chargesheet against 44 persons on March
31, 2003 and the court had taken its cognisance on April 30
that year.
Of the 44 accused, six have died so far, two have turned
approvers, while two others are still evading arrest. Trial is
pending against 34 at present.
Of the 34, eleven persons, including Prasad, Mishra,
besides Nishad, and Sharma, former BJP MLA Bhagat, had filed
the discharge petitions in the case.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, August 18, 2011, 16:08