New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) The Supreme Court has agreed to an early hearing on pleas filed by CBI seeking the cancellation of bail granted to RJD President Lalu Prasad by the Jharkhand High Court in connection with the multi-crore fodder scam.

As per the details available on the website of the apex court, the matter is likely to be taken up on next Friday, August 25.

The central probe agency mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and sought urgent listing of the pleas seeking the cancellation of the former legislator’s bail. 

In April last year, the Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Lalu Prasad in connection with a fifth fodder scam case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 139.5 crore from the Doranda treasury.

Notably, the Supreme Court had already issued notice on the CBI’s plea challenging the bail orders issued on April 17, 2021 and October 9, 2020, where the Jharkhand High Court had granted bail to the former Bihar CM in the case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of funds from Dumka Treasury and Chaibasa Treasury.

The multi million fodder scam took place in the Animal Husbandry Department in undivided Bihar when Lalu Prasad was the Chief Minister. The scam surfaced in 1996, and at the Patna High Court's directive, the case was handed over to the CBI.

Lalu Prasad was convicted in four fodder scam cases in connection with fraudulent withdrawal of money from Deoghar, Dumka, and Chaibasa treasuries in Jharkhand. In the Doranda case, the special CBI court had awarded him a five-year jail term and imposed Rs 60 lakh fine.

Patna, Aug 16 (IANS) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad accompanied by his party's national Vice President of Shivanand Tiwari visited the JP Ganga Pathways, which is commonly known as Patna's Marine Drive and is located on the banks of the Ganga River.

Lalu, who had been unwell for sometime, now looks stronger and fitter these days and is often seen in public places. He went to Gandhi Maidan during the Independence Day celebration here on Tuesday.

Lalu Prasad along with his JP movement friend Shivanand Tiwari visited the Marine Drive in a special Rath which was built on an SUV on Tuesday evening and interacted with the people. Both the leaders inspected the area and reviewed the work done by the road construction ministry held by Tejashwi Yadav.

The second phase of Marine Drive was inaugurated on August 14 by CM Nitish Kumar in the presence of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and other dignitaries. With this, the 12.8 km stretch between Digha to Gaighat is open to the public and the motorists can cover the distance in just 15 minutes.

During the visit of the two, a large number of people turned out to see Lalu Prasad. He interacted with common people and also cherished 'Kulfi' as well. With such public appearances, Lalu Prasad is trying to give a message that he is fit now and will give a tough fight in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll.

The increasing activities of Lalu Prasad is a healthy sign for the INDIA alliance.