Former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra as well as six others were acquitted in the case.
RANCHI (IANS) — Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad was on Saturday convicted in a fodder scam case by a special CBI court here.
Former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra as well as six others were acquitted in the case.
The quantum of punishment will be announced on January 3, Special CBI judge Shivapal Singh ruled.
The case relates to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 84.5 lakh from Deoghar district treasury.
Hearing was completed on December 13 in a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court of Ranchi.
In all, there were 34 accused in the case, out whom 11 died during the course of the trial, while one turned CBI approver and admitted the crime.
Divine intervention sought
As court verdict was awaited Lalu Prasad’s family was 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 residence — 10, Circular Road — in high security zone here.
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.
“A special ‘puja’ incorporating chants of vedic ‘mantras’ is on since Saturday morning at Rabri Devi’s residence. Rabri Devi and other family members have performed several religious rituals with help of priests,” a Rashtriya Janata Dal leader close to the family said.