A special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Ranchi on Wednesday sentenced 37 people to jail terms between three to 14 years in connection with a fodder scam case, IANS reported. The court also imposed fines of Rs 1 crore on some of them.
The court had convicted the 37 and acquitted five on April 9. Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was earlier sentenced to 14 years in prison in a related case. The case is related to the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 34.91 crore from the treasury of Dumka district in undivided Bihar between 1991 and 1996.
Charges were framed against 60 people, of whom 14 died during the trial. Two people admitted their crime, while two are still absconding.
On Wednesday, Judge Shivapal Singh sentenced one former government official to 14 years in jail, The Hindu reported. Fifteen other public servants were sent to jail for seven years and were fined Rs 1 crore each. The other 26 convicts were suppliers.
This is the 51st fodder scam case. The set of cases involve the embezzlement of around Rs 1,000 crore from the state exchequer for the purchase of fictitious medicines and fodder for cattle between 1990 and 1997.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!