Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Yadav Counters CBI’s Attempt to Revoke Bail in Doranda Treasury Case
Lalu Yadav, the leader of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has opposed the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea aimed at revoking his bail in connection with the Doranda treasury case, a part of the fodder scam investigation.
Last year on April 22, the Jharkhand High Court granted Lalu Yadav bail in this case. The 75-year-old RJD leader had been sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court in Ranchi for his involvement in the embezzlement of over Rs 139 crore from the Doranda treasury.
In his response submitted to the Supreme Court, Lalu Yadav contended that challenging the suspension of his sentence by the Jharkhand High Court should not be solely based on the CBI’s dissatisfaction.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud is scheduled to hear the CBI’s plea to cancel Lalu Yadav’s bail granted by the Jharkhand High Court on August 25, concerning the Doranda treasury case associated with the fodder scam.
Citing his deteriorating health and advanced age, Lalu Yadav asserted in his response that his detention serves no constructive purpose. He maintained that there is no reason to intervene with the high court’s ruling, as it was based on established principles and consistent standards.
Previously, on February 15, 2022, Lalu Yadav had been convicted by a CBI court in Ranchi in relation to the fodder scam. He was subsequently sentenced to five years of imprisonment and fined Rs 60 lakh on February 21.
During the period of the scam, the 75-year-old RJD leader had held the finance portfolio of undivided Bihar, where he served as the chief minister.
The allegations against Lalu Yadav involved purported kickbacks funneled through the animal husbandry department. Fictitious challans and invoices were generated, approved by the finance department, and funds were released through the treasury.
Previously, Lalu Yadav had received a 14-year jail sentence in four other cases linked to the Dumka, Deoghar, and Chaibasa treasuries in Jharkhand.
