Speedy trial: CBI beefs up cell probing fodder cases

A day before Union minister Laloo Prasad Yadav’s plea challenging the constitution of a Patna High Court bench comes up for hearing bef...

A day before Union minister Laloo Prasad Yadav’s plea challenging the constitution of a Patna High Court bench comes up for hearing before the Supreme Court, the CBI’s Animal Husbandry Cell, supervising 60 fodder scam cases, has been beefed up to expedite the trials.

The decision to revamp the cell was taken at a meeting, chaired by CBI Director Umashankar Mishra, to review the progress of all fodder scam cases. It is understood that the strength of the cell will be augmented to at least seven officers at the senior-level and over a dozen in the lower ranks.

Mishra, sources say, was unhappy with the progress of two cases, in particular, in which the accused are lodged in Ranchi jail. Officials said the CBI will now seek permission from the trial court to conduct hearings in these cases through video-conferencing to cut down on delays.

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Of the 60 fodder scam cases, Laloo figures in seven. At least 15 persons, including two regional directors of the Bihar Animal Husbandry Department, involved in five cases were convicted last year. Senior CBI officials said ‘‘though progress in the cases were found to be satisfactory, it was felt prosecution could be speeded up further.’’

The CBI’s decision to strengthen the cell a day before the Apex Court hears Laloo’s plea was clearly aimed at assuring the court that the agency was not soft-peddling cases against Laloo — an allegation that has already been levelled by the Opposition.

The Opposition had also alleged that key prosecutor L.R. Ansari was unceremoniously removed to weaken cases against Laloo. The CBI is expected to apprise the Supreme Court of its decision to beef up the cell tomorrow.

The police said that Kumar, a resident of Turbhe MIDC in Navi Mumbai, was driving his concrete mixer truck when it collided with an SUV.

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