SC gives a week to CBI in fodder scam

This, after CBI failed to tell its stand on Lalu Prasad's plea to transfer the case

Supreme Court on Tuesday gave CBI a week's time to spell out its stand on RJD leader Lalu Prasad's plea seeking transfer of trial in the fodder scam case to another trial court.

An apex court bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi adjourned the hearing after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to tell the court about its position on Lalu Prasad's plea.

As senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, appearing for Lalu Prasad, also sought a week's time to file an additional affidavit in support of his plea seeking transfer of the trial, Justice Ranjan Gogoi observed: "Why don't you say whatever you have to say. Why are you delaying the matter?"

Posting the matter for Aug 6, the court asked CBI respondent Lallan Yadav and Lalu Prasad to say whatever they want to say so that the court could hold the final hearing into the matter on next date.

The fodder scam came to light over two decades ago on Lallan Yadav's public suit.