Fodder scam verdict as it happened: Lalu Prasad 'politicising issue', says JP Nadda after RJD chief alleges conspiracy

Tejashwi Yadav vows to challenge judgment

Will challenge judgement in HC. We have already appealed against conviction in Chaibasa treasury case in HC. Bail procedure would take place only after HC's opening. Nitish Kumar, BJP kept trying to malign Lalu Ji: Tejashwi Yadav on father Lalu Yadav's conviction in #FodderScam pic.twitter.com/qLVyl4ebMS

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

RJD to move HC against fodder scam case order: Raghuvansh

Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said that the party would move the high court against a special CBI court order convicting party chief Lalu Prasad in a fodder scam case on Saturday.

Special judge Shivpal Singh acquitted former chief minister Jagannath Mishra, but convicted Prasad, also a former chief minister, and 15 others in the case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from Deogarh treasury between 1991 and 1994.

PTI

Ravi Shankar Prasad calls it ‘privilege’ to argue PIL in 1990s which led to probe

Lesson of today's conviction of Lalu Prasad is that law will catch up with you if you commit corruption: Ravi Shankar Prasad #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/nQqxaXUV2I

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

BJP leader G Kishan Reddy hails CBI court’s verdict in fodder scam case

Lalu Prasad Yadav - RJD Leader, friend & an ally of Congress - convicted in fodder scam. Justice may be delayed but will not be denied. Satyamev Jayate! सत्यमेव जयते! #JailForLalu #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/7Fj2cL6D69

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) December 23, 2017

Watch: ‘I had faith because there was no evidence against me,’ says Jagannath Mishra after acquittal

#TNExclusive: Former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra speaks to Times Now after he was exonerated in the Fodder Scam case #LaluConvicted pic.twitter.com/KVZOWEK6yr

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 23, 2017

Shehzad Poonawalla hints at breaking Congress-RJD alliance if Rahul Gandhi fails to ’take a decision’

​Lalu Prasad diverting issue by alleging conspiracy by BJP, says JP Nadda

The alliance between Congress and Lalu Yadav's party is an alliance of corruption,connivance and cheating the people of India, it is clear from the verdict of the court: Union Minister JP Nadda #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/5ryeV6rXIQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Tejashwi Yadav says Lalu Prasad convicted for ‘shaking foundation’ of established forces

Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav took to Twitter to defend the RJD chief and appeal the party members to maintain peace. “Lalu ji was born in poverty and in a ’low’ caste. He shook the foundation of the established forces with his firepower. That was, in reality, the biggest ‘scam,’ the consequences of which are being borne by him,” he said.

“Nobody can fight the truth. We will definitely win,” he added.

लालू जी जिस वर्ण और ग़रीबी में पैदा हुए और जिस संघर्ष के दम पर सत्ता के स्थापित गलियारों को अपने दमख़म से हिलाया वहीं सबसे बड़ा घोटाला है और उसी की सज़ा भुगत रहे है। समझें!

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) December 23, 2017

सभी पार्टी कार्यकर्ताओं से अपील करता हूँ कि वो शांति बनाए रखते हुए न्यायालय के फ़ैसले का सम्मान करें। सत्य को कोई नहीं हरा सकता। हमारी जीत होगी और ज़रूर होगी। अपना प्रेम और विश्वास बनाए रखें। जय बिहार, जय हिंद

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) December 23, 2017

Congress backs Lalu Prasad, says RJD chief prepared to fight

Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Manish Tewari said: “As far as today’s verdict is concerned, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his lawyer are both prepared to fight this.”

He slammed the Nitish Kumar government and further said: “The central charge is embezzlement from the state treasury. And the alleged embezzlement took place when the current chief minister (Nitish Kumar) was the chief minister.”

Lalu Yadav has been fighting this legal battle since 1996. It started when BJP leaders filed PIL against him in Patna HC. He & his lawyers are capable of fighting this case. I want to ask BJP why Srijan scam is not being investigated?: Manish Tewari,Congress on #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/n9L148hEi9

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad Yadav brought to Birsa Munda Central Jail

Convicted in a fodder scam case today, Lalu Prasad Yadav has now been brought to Birsa Munda Central Jail.

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Watch: Lalu Prasad outside CBI court after verdict

#WATCH: Lalu Prasad Yadav outside Ranchi's Special CBI Court after being convicted in a #FodderScam case pic.twitter.com/hn6REkaizv

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Jagganath Mishra among those acquitted

CBI Court of Ranchi frees Ex CM Dr Jagganath Mishra, Mr. Nishad, A C Chaudhary , Saraswati Chandra, Sadhana Singh, Dhruv Mandal in #FodderScam.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad taken into police custody

#Visuals of Lalu Prasad Yadav outside Ranchi's Special CBI Court after being convicted in a #FodderScam case pic.twitter.com/BxValvnv8n

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Sushil Kumar Modi says he was one of the petitioners which led to CBI inquiry

I was one of the petitioner in fodder scam PIL which resulted in CBI inquiry & monitoring by Patna H Court .

— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) December 23, 2017

BJP IT in-charge Amit Malviya welcomes CBI court’s verdict

Lalu Prasad convicted. The long fight against corruption will continue...

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad slams ‘sly’ BJP, accuses saffron party of ‘distorting public perception’

Truth can be made to appear as a lie, as ambiguous or a half lie by concerted onslaught of bias driven propaganda. But blurred layer of bias and hatred will still be removed, come what may! In end Truth will win

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 23, 2017

धूर्त भाजपा अपनी जुमलेबाज़ी व कारगुज़ारियों को छुपाने और वोट प्राप्त करने के लिए विपक्षियों का पब्लिक पर्सेप्शन बिगाड़ने के लिए राजनीति में अनैतिक और द्वेष की भावना से ग्रस्त गंदा खेल खेलती है।

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 23, 2017

धूर्त भाजपा अपनी जुमलेबाज़ी व कारगुज़ारियों को छुपाने और वोट प्राप्त करने के लिए विपक्षियों का पब्लिक पर्सेप्शन बिगाड़ने के लिए राजनीति में अनैतिक और द्वेष की भावना से ग्रस्त गंदा खेल खेलती है।

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad Yadav to be lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail

Ranchi: Visual from Birsa Munda Central Jail where Lalu Prasad Yadav will be lodged; he has been convicted in #FodderScam case today pic.twitter.com/ZEoPHsQOIt

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad taken into custody

Police has taken #LaluPrasadYadav into custody; he has been convicted in a #Fodderscam case today (File pic) pic.twitter.com/SqoTXgJRem

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Manoj Jha says RJD to seek redressal at higher court

Kind of evidences we have, we'll get redressal at a higher court. Politically I know this regime, they have this typical Standard Operating Procedure-Try to make a deal with your opposition, if you fail...scare them. Want to tell them-Your end has begun: Manoj Jha,RJD pic.twitter.com/lkYjqNeI6g

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

All the properties belonging to Lalu Prasad bought after 1990 to be attached in case, reports CNN News18.

BJP welcomes verdict convicting Lalu Prasad

After the special CBI court in Ranchi convicted Lalu Prasad Yadav, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimaha Rao said that the verdict “reinforces faith in the juduciary.”

“Lalu symbolises corrupt politics of the country.. In a democracy, it is important the faith is not eroded. I think, the popular sentiment in this country is that there should be no leniency as far as corruption is concerned,” he added.

#JailForLalu | Verdict reinforces public faith in Judiciary. Lalu Yadav symbolises corrupt politics: @GVLNRAO to CNN-News18 #LIVE: https://t.co/e76ZJSFFWg pic.twitter.com/yckDt5JoDE

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 23, 2017

Sentencing on 3 January

Ranchi's Special CBI Court to pronounce quantum of sentence on January 3rd, 2018 for the 15 guilty including Lalu Prasad Yadav

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Manoj Jha alleges political conspiracies

Speaking at a press conference, RJD leader Manoj Jha criticised the verdict by special CBI court against Lalu Prasad and said it was the former Bihar chief minister who alerted about the scam. “You are convicting the person who has helped expose the scam. It is a tragedy of errors. This is a clear bias against Lalu Prasad.”

Jha alleged a political conspiracy and claimed that the victory “will be ours.”

Lalu Prasad Yadav to go behind bars

Jagannath Mishra’s lawyer told CNN-News18 that all those convicted will be sent to jail.

CBI court finds 15 people guilty

Total 15 people have been found guilty including Lalu Prasad Yadav in #FodderScamVerdict; 7 innocent including Former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

CBI court finds Lalu Prasad guilty in one of six cases

#BREAKING #JailForLalu | RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav convicted in fodder scam. #LIVE: https://t.co/bpZQA8d6TU pic.twitter.com/uI9WyFr8ya

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 23, 2017

Chaos outside CBI court ahead of verdict

#LaluCharaVerdict | Chaos outside CBI court. Stand by for verdict in fodder scam.#LIVE: https://t.co/bpZQA8d6TU pic.twitter.com/TSfi26Jnlq

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 23, 2017

Special CBI judge Shivpal Singh reading out verdict, reports India Today

Lalu Prasad’s recent court appearances marked by banter and hostility

After the Supreme Court order directing that the trials of the fodder scam cases should be completed within nine months in May, the special CBI court in Ranchi started hearing the matter on a daily basis. On various occasions, accused Lalu Prasad Yadav’s interaction with judge Shivpal Singh resulted in laughter on one hand and allegations on the other.

The speedy nature of the trial made Lalu Yadav a frequent visitor from Patna to Ranchi and his body language sometimes compelled the judge to ask informal questions related to his health and well-being. On 14 June, Shivpal Singh asked Lalu, “Aap kaise hain?” (How are you?) to which the RJD leader replied, “Hum theek hain. Aap bulaye aur hum chale aaye.” (Sir, I am fine. You remembered me and I turned up).

After that, Lalu’s counsel Prabhat Kumar sought exemption for his client from personal appearance. However, the judge declined to grant any exemption. This compelled Lalu to personally plead with folded hands with the judge on 30 June.

​Tight security outside CBI court in Ranchi

Security outside CBI Special Court in Ranchi ahead of verdict in #FodderScam case. pic.twitter.com/LPPYIOoc0s

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad supporters gather outside CBI court in Ranchi ahead of verdict

Visuals from outside CBI Special Court in Ranchi, ahead of verdict in #FodderScam case. pic.twitter.com/3jvJP5zUd5

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Fodder scam verdict expectly shortly

#LaluCharaVerdict | Stand by for verdict in fodder scam#LIVE: https://t.co/bpZQA8d6TU pic.twitter.com/WAzTcBwEpi

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 23, 2017

We believe in the judiciary: Lalu Prasad 

After reaching Ranchi, RJD leader Lalu Prasad said that he believes in the judiciary: Speaking to Times Now, he said: “Whatever allegations have been levied against us, we have submitted necessary proof to counter that in court, We have come here to hear the verdict, We believe in the judiciary.”

Lalu Prasad reaches CBI court in Ranchi

Lalu Prasad Yadav reaches special CBI court in Ranchi ahead of verdict in #FodderScam , son Tejashwi Yadav also accompanying pic.twitter.com/2umKR16dQB

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Tight security around Lalu Prasad’s Patna residence

Security has since been tightened around the residence of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi in Patna in view of the impending court judgment.

Lalu Prasad, former Union railway minister and Bihar chief minister, has gone to Jharkhand capital Ranchi where a special CBI court will pronounce at 3 pm on Saturday its verdict in a fodder scam case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 84.5 lakh from Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994.

The former Union minister told the media on Friday evening before leaving for Ranchi along with younger son Tejashwi Yadav, who is Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly, that he would get a “clean chit” like those in the 2G spectrum and Adarsh housing society cases. “We trust and respect the judiciary. We will not let the Bharatiya Janata Party’s conspiracies work,” the RJD leader said.

PTI

Lalu’s family seeks divine blessings on judgment day

Even as a verdict in a fodder scam case by a Ranchi court is set to be pronounced on Saturday afternoon, prime accused RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s entire family is busy seeking divine intervention to secure “justice” for him.

Lalu Prasad’s wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, known for her religious leanings, has organised a special ‘puja’ at her official — 10, Circular Road — in high security zone.

Lalu’s Prasad’s elder son Tej Pratap, a former health minister, visited a temple early Saturday morning to pray for his father. “Tej Pratap also offered prayers at his house also,” the RJD leader said.

Lalu’s daughters, including Misa Bharti who is an RJD Rajya Sabha MP, are also offering prayers and participating in religious rituals.

PTI

Ram Vilas Paswan hits outs at Lalu Prasad Yadav for claiming ‘innocence’

Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday slammed RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for talking to media about his “innocence” in the fodder scam even as a CBI court was due to deliver its judgement in the case.

The special CBI court in Ranchi will pronounce its verdict later on Saturday in the fodder scam case in which Yadav, a former Bihar chief minister and Union minister, is an accused.

“Whether he is acquitted or convicted, is for the court to decide. We do comment on it, but he is lecturing on the TV since morning even though the judgement is yet to be delivered,” Paswan told reporters.

Meanwhile, ED files chargesheet against Misa Bharti

Enforcement Directorate files chargesheet against Misa Bharti in money laundering case pic.twitter.com/l2MaJR8cGA

— DD News (@DDNewslive) December 23, 2017

Lalu is the messiah of the downtrodden: Shivanand Tiwary

“I committed a sin by petitioning against Lalu…He is the messiah of the downtrodden,” Shivanand Tiwary, general secretary of RJD who had raked up the fodder scam in the ’90s, said.

The judgement will come at 3 pm: Lalu Prasad Yadav's lawyer Prabhat Kumar #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/9SJ3L98kab

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Fodder scam case verdict expected at 3 pm: Reports

Lalu Prasad Yadav to appear before special CBI Court in Ranchi shortly #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/J6vIkTDB3h

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Look who has come out in support of Lalu Prasad

BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha came out in support of Lalu Prasad when he said this on Twitter:

Hope wish & pray that the friend of the nation, hero of masses & favorite of downtrodden, one & only one Lalu Yadav gets the most desired & deserving justice. Satyamev Jayate??!!. God Bless!

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) December 23, 2017

I have faith that I will get justice. Whatever be the judgment, appeal to people of Bihar to maintain law and order : Lalu Prasad Yadav in Ranchi #FodderScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/01FhnXoobT

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Lalu Prasad reaches court in Ranchi, verdict to be out shortly

Lalu appeals to people of Bihar to maintain peace

“I am thankful to all the people of Bihar. I am sure we will get justice. We will uproot the BJP, irrespective of whatever situation we are in,” Prasad said.

“I appeal to the people of Bihar to maintain peace, irrespective of which verdict comes out,” said the former Bihar chief minister.

Lalu’s son Tejashwi Yadav says they “trust the judiciary”

We trust the judiciary & hope the verdict will be in our favor. Just like BJP propaganda was busted in #2GScam & #AdarshScam, similar will happen now: Tejashwi Yadav ahead of #FodderScam verdict pic.twitter.com/VjeFkiE83z

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Original chargesheet included 38 accused persons

A chargesheet was filed against 38 persons on 27 October 1997. Eleven of them died and three turned approvers while two other accused confessed to their crime and were convicted in 2006-07, a CBI official said.

The accused are facing charges under IPC sections 120B, 409, 418, 420, 467, 468, 471, 477 (A), 201 and 511 and under Prevention of Corruption Act section 13 (1) D read with 13 (2). The order was reserved on 13 December.

A total of 22 people are accused in the fodder scam

Besides the two ex-chief ministers, former MP RK Rana, three former IAS officers — Phoolchand Singh, Beck Julius and Mahesh Prasad — are also among the 22 accused in the fodder case.

The other accused in the case include former Bihar minister Vidya Sagar Nishad, former Public Accounts Committee chairmen Jagdish Sharma and Dhruv Bhagat.

Two former chief ministers among the accused

The fate of former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jagannath Mishra and 20 others will be decided on Saturday by a special CBI court in Ranchi in the fodder scam case pertaining to fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs 89 lakh from Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994

Lulu Yadav blames the parties in power

“It is the BJP, the RSS and Nitish Kumar who are behind all this … they want me to be sent to jail so that they will have no political opponent, but they don’t know that every worker of the RJD is a Lalu Yadav,” he said.

“I do hope that I will get justice as in the 2G spectrum case, Ashok Chavan’s case…I have full faith in the judiciary but whatever verdict will come, I will abide by it,” Lalu said.

We trust & respect the judiciary. Won't let BJP's conspiracies work. Jaisa 2G mein hua, Ashok Chavan ka hua vaisa hi humara bhi hoga: Lalu Prasad Yadav ahead of verdict in #FodderScam case pic.twitter.com/3ddPYFxHLt

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017

#TopStory A special CBI court in Ranchi to pronounce the verdict in fodder scam case in which RJD chief Lalu Prasad is an accused pic.twitter.com/z6AKuONGN6

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017

Day of reckoning for Lalu Prasad Yadav as CBI court to decide RJD chief’s fate today

Fate of #LaluPrasad in Rs 900 crore #fodderscam to be decided today

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/LLqILAeG54 pic.twitter.com/azFd6f4wqb

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 23, 2017