The Special Judge, AHD Cases, Ranchi has today sentenced 40 accused to undergo 3 to 5 years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs. 11.93 crore (approx.). These accused were convicted on 15.02.2022 whose sentence was scheduled for pronouncement by the Court today. The details of the sentence against each of these 40 accused are i.e. S/Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, then Chief Minister, Bihar to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 60 lakh;
CBI had registered a case in compliance of orders dated 11.03.1996 of Hon'ble Patna High Court & orders dated 19.03.1996 of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, and taken over the investigation of Case No. 60/96 earlier registered at Police Station Doranda against Shri K.N. Jha, Regional Director, Animal Husbandry Department, South Chhotanagpur Region, Ranchi and 72 other persons on a complaint from Dy. Commissioner, Ranchi. It was alleged that during the period between 1990-91 and 1995-96, then AHD officials in conspiracy with unscrupulous suppliers & others withdrew and misappropriated a sum of Rs. 182.82 crore (approx.) from Doranda Treasury, Ranchi under the pretext of making payment to the suppliers, who submitted spurious/bogus bills falsely showing supply of feed, fodder, vet. medicines etc. It was further alleged that the amount, so withdrawn, was eventually misappropriated.
During investigation, roles of bureaucrats, politicians including the then Chief Minister of Bihar & others came to the fore. 03 chargesheets were filed in the Court of Special Judge, AHD Cases, Ranchi on 08.05.2001, 07.06.2003 and 24.06.2003 against the accused including Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, then Chief Minister, Bihar, other Politicians, Bureaucrats, Veterinary Doctors, treasury officials, suppliers etc. During investigation, an alleged fraud of Rs. 139.35 crore (approx.) was found. Charges were framed on 06.07.2005. During trial, 575 Prosecution Witness were examined and around 4,200 documents were got exhibited.
The Trial Court found 75 accused including then Chief Minister of Bihar; former MLAs, former Secretary, Govt. of Bihar; then Commissioner of Income Tax; then AHD officials; Veterinary Doctors; Proprietors of private companies & other private persons guilty and convicted them on 15.02.2022. 24 accused were acquitted by the Court. The Trial Court had earlier sentenced 35 accused to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with varying amounts of fine under relevant sections of IPC & others on 15.02.2022, whereas quantum of punishment in respect of 40 other convicted accused including then Chief Minister of Bihar has been pronounced today.
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