CBI says it wants to arrest Laloo

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) todaytold the Patna High Courtthat it wanted to arrest Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav in a conspiracy angle case of the fodderscam and charged him with havingreceived "huge illegal gratification" from the scamsters.

Arguing against the anticipatory bail petition of Yadav, CBIcounsel Rakesh Kumar said theChief Minister had "bestowed" illegal favours on the scamsters, patronised them and done nothing tostop fraudulent withdrawals from government treasuries across the State. Asked by the court about itsstand on arresting Yadav, Kumarsaid, "the agency wants to arrestthepetitioner". Rajesh Kumar also chargedthat Yadav had been receiving"payoffs" from animal husbandrydepartment officials even beforehe became the Chief Minister andthe agency had "clinching" evidence to establish charges againsthim.

The CBI counsel charged thatYadav had come to the courtclaiming privilege of an anticipatory bail "despite having comrnitted fraud on the Constitution andbadly hoodwinking and cheatingthe people of a poor state like Bihar".