Presidential Sanction Sought To Prosecute Verma In Fodder Scam

The CBI has sought presidential sanction for the prosecution of the minister of state for rural areas and development, Chandradeo Prasad Verma, in the Rs 950 crore fodder scam, agency sources said yesterday.

The step was taken as a precautionary measure as the investigating agency had already sought a similar sanction from Bihar Governor A R Kidwai, for Vermas prosecution along with state Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav and 54 others, the sources said.

On being asked about the CBIs move, Verma promptly said he refused to resign from the council of ministers. There is no question of my resigning from the union government, Verma said.

, adding that he had no information of the latest CBI move.

He said he would only abide by the decision of the Janata Dal in this regard. Whatever the party decides, I will go by that, he said.

The issue was discussed among top officials of the probe team and those of the CBIs legal cell, as Vermas alleged involvement in the scam dated back to his tenure as the state minister in charge of the animal husbandry department.

The CBI has submitted a detailed and voluminous report to the Governor on the investigation into the case which would form the basis for the chargesheets against the 56 accused.

The Governor has said he would examine the CBI report in-depth and seek legal opinion before taking a decision on whether to grant sanction for prosecution.