The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the Jharkhand High Court order that suspended the sentence of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and granted him bail in the fodder scam case. The court also asked the High Court to speed up hearings in the pending appeals. The decision has again brought focus to the two major cases linked to the former Bihar chief minister.
Why the cases still matter
Lalu Prasad Yadav remains one of the most influential political leaders in Bihar. However, corruption allegations have continued to follow him for decades. While his party remains a major force in the state, the fodder scam and the IRCTC land-for-jobs case have remained key issues raised by political rivals.
Although Lalu has secured bail in the remaining fodder scam case, investigations involving him and members of his family continue in other matters. The Supreme Court has also allowed proceedings in the IRCTC land-for-jobs case to continue.
How the fodder scam came to light
The fodder scam was first exposed in the early 1990s. Police officer Bindu Bhushan Dubey reported financial irregularities in Bihar’s animal husbandry department. His findings pointed to large-scale misuse of government funds.
In January 1996, officials began examining treasury withdrawals across Bihar. A raid at the animal husbandry department office in Chaibasa uncovered documents that suggested widespread embezzlement.
The Patna High Court later transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation. As the probe moved forward, the CBI linked Lalu Prasad Yadav to the case.
CBI action and political fallout
In June 1997, then Bihar Governor A.R. Kidwai allowed the CBI to prosecute Lalu Prasad. The agency filed a charge sheet against him and several others.
Following political pressure, Lalu left the Janata Dal and formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Later, he handed over the post of chief minister to his wife Rabri Devi.
Convictions in the fodder scam
Lalu Prasad was first convicted in 2013. He was found guilty in cases linked to illegal withdrawals from different treasuries, including Chaibasa, Dumka, Deoghar and Doranda.
In 2017, the Supreme Court ordered separate trials in the cases linked to the larger fodder scam.
What is the IRCTC land-for-jobs case
The IRCTC case relates to the period between 2004 and 2009 when Lalu Prasad served as Railway Minister.
Investigators allege that jobs in the railways were given in exchange for land transferred to members of the Yadav family or companies later linked to them.
Besides Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav and others have faced allegations in the matter.
