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

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

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

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.

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 Prasad Yadav to be lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail

Lalu Prasad taken into custody

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

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.

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

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

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

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:

Lalu's son Tejashwi Yadav says they "trust the judiciary"

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.

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

"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.

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