Charges framed against Laloo

Of the 60 chargesheets CBI filed against the accused, six are CA cases in which Laloo and former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra are prime accused. In each case, they were booked under IPC such as Section 420 (fraud), Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and Sections 13(2) and 13(1)D of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Today, charges were framed against them in two CA cases. In the first case (RC 64 A) showing alleged conspiracy of the accused to fraudulently siphon off Rs 97 lakh from the Deoghar treasury, Judge Sanjay Prasad ordered framing of charges against them.

In the second case—RC 47 A/96—considered the biggest case indicating their alleged connivance in defrauding the Doranda Treasury of Rs 182 crore, Judge A K Sengupta ordered framing of charges against them.

Of the cases, 53 are being heard in Ranchi and seven in Patna. So far, six cases have ended in conviction of 26 officials and suppliers of the Animal Husbandry Department. While the court in Patna is yet to institute charges in one CA case—RC 63/96—the court in Ranchi has already registered charges against them in all five CA cases.

Charges were instituted against them for the first time in Patna in the RC 20/96 case in 2000, to be followed in Ranchi in two other cases—68 A/96 and 38A/96 early this year.

Other than Laloo, Mishra, R K Rana and Dhruv Bhagat, three IAS officers, Arumugam, Beck Julius and Fulchand Singh are co-accused. Most of them, including Laloo were present when the court spelled their names to complete the formalities.

The framing of charges sets in motion the trial in these cases. Although during his nearly two-hour stay at the court the Union Minister remained calm and composed, he talked to the media at the Indian Railway-run BNR Hotel here where he stayed last night.

About the prospect of his party in the ensuing Assembly elections in Bihar, he said the RJD will romp home.

It’ll be a poll issue: CPI

NEW DELHI: The CPI, which is contesting against the RJD, says the CBI chargesheet against Laloo Prasad Yadav is “nothing unexpected” but will be an issue during polls. CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan told The Indian Express, “It is not that a windfall has suddenly come our way, and we won’t make the chargesheet an issue, unlike the BJP. But it is in the media and the voters will keep the facts in mind during polling.” He said for his party, the RJD’s non-performance will be an issue. — ENS