In a major setback to tainted politicians in India, a colourful Indian politician and former Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Sharma was convicted by a court in fodder scam and sent to jail.
New Delhi, Sept 30/Nationalturk – A senior Indian politician and former Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Sharma was Monday convicted by a court in fodder scam and sent to jail.
A special CBI court today convicted 65-years-old Lalu Prasad Yadav and 44 others including, politicians and bureaucrats, in a 17-year-old fodder scam case of corruption.
The court, however, fixed 3 three for pronouncement of sentence against Lalu Yadav and others.
Lalu, who was chief minister of Indian state of Bihar where the fodder scam took place in 1990s when he was ruling the State, faces maximum of 10 years in jail as he has been convicted under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC for cheating, forgery, fraudulently destroying a will and criminal conspiracy.
Lalu, others involved in fraudulent withdrawal from treasury
Lalu Prasad Yadav and other accused have been found involved in fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.7 (Indian currency) crore from a treasury in Bihar.
After the court verdict, Lalu was arrested and shifted to Birsa Munda central jail in Ranchi, Bihar.
Lalu’s political career hangs in balance as he faces disqualification from lower house of Indian parliament Lok Sabha as Indian Supreme Court had recently passed an order ruling that a lawmaker would stand disqualified immediately if convicted by a court for crimes with punishment of two years or more and under some other laws even without jail sentence.
The last month’s historic judgement by Supreme Court struck down a provision in the electoral law that provided protection to sitting MPs and MLAs by allowing them to continue in their posts if they appeal against a lower court conviction and secure a stay of the order.
Lalu’s party, RJD has said they would challenge the judgement in the higher court.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
