Fodder scam: Quantum of sentence for Lalu Prasad Yadav, 15 others postponed again

The quantum of sentence for Lalu Prasad Yadav and the 15 other people convicted in the fodder scam case will be pronounced tomorrow. 

Lalu had reached the special CBI court in Ranchi for the sentencing -- it had been expected today -- where the court announced that the sentencing would take place on Friday. 

The fodder scam was first sniffed out in 1985 by the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General after it noticed that monthly accounts submissions from the Bihar treasury were always delayed. 

Lalu and others had been embezzling government funds by producing fake bills for payments that were never made.

The trial wrapped up on December 13 last year and Lalu was found guilty on December 23. 

News reports quoted Lalu's lawyers as saying the former Bihar chief minister is 70 years old, unwell, and that they would ask for the minimum sentence. 

The reports quoted lawyers as saying Lalu could be sentenced to between three to seven years in jail. And that if he is sentenced to three years in jail, he will be given bail soon after the sentencing. 

Lalu is currently at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Thirty-four people were accused in the case of which 11 died during the trial.

One person turned CBI approver and admitted to the crime.

The 16 people convicted include three former IAS officials -- Phoolchand Mandal, Beck Julius, and Mahesh Prasad.

Lalu is also facing trial in three other cases relating to the fodder scam, which is also called the "chaara ghotala".