Supreme Court grants bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav

Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh K Srivastava

New Delhi: In a major relief to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav, the Supreme Court on Friday granted him bail in connection with the fodder scam case. The order was passed by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court. The apex court granted him bail on principal of parity as 37 other convicts are already out on the bail. However, Lalu still remains disqualified from contesting elections. Both RJD and Congress have welcomed the apex court order. "Lalu ji has got bail from the honourable Supreme Court, so this should be welcomed," Union Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters. Lalu`s wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi said, "We had full faith on judiciary. We welcome this decision. It is a huge relief for the party." "Though, he can`t contest elections, he can still campaign for the party. He is innocent, this is what we believe. The party is united and backs him unanimously," added Rabri Devi. The RJD chief was convicted by a CBI-designated court on September 30 for fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.37.7 crore from Chaibasa Treasury when Lalu was chief minister. All the 45 accused were convicted including Lalu. He was sent to the Birsa Munda central jail and the quantum of punishment was announced through video-conferencing on October 03. He was sentenced to five years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh. After his conviction, Lalu lost the membership of Parliament in line with a Supreme Court ruling. Another former chief minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, was also convicted along with Lalu.