Supreme Court Stayed trial against Lalu Yadav in Fodder Scam

The Supreme Court of India on 9 July 2013 suspended all proceedings related to fodder scam (the alleged financial irregularities in the animal husbandry department) cases in the Jharkhand Court against Lalu Yadav. Lalu Yadav is the President of Rashtriya Janata Dal.

The Supreme Court Bench that comprised Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice J. Chelameswar granted the stay to the case following Lalu Yadav’s special leave petition against the Judgement of the High Court of Jharkhand. The bench of Supreme Court also issued a notice to transfer the case against Lalu from CBI Court in the state to other Court with competent jurisdiction. The notice is returnable in two week on 23 July to the CBI.

About Fodder Scam

The multi-million rupee scam surfaced in the then Bihar in 1996 is also known as Chara Ghotala. After formation of Jharkhand in November 2000, 54 cases were transferred to the Jurisdiction of Jharkhand of which judgments have been passed in more than 40 cases by now.

The scandal, which was in process for about two decades involved financial irregularities of about 900 crore rupees in procurement of the livestock of fodder, medicine and animal husbandry equipment.