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Fodder scam case: How it all unfolded over the years

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Fodder scam case: How it all unfolded over the years

RJD chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, was on Saturday, sentenced to 3.5 years in jail in Deoghar Treasury case of the Fodder scam. This case was related to the embezzlement of around Rs. 89 lakh from Bihar’s Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994. Here’s a timeline of how the Fodder scam – estimated at about Rs 900 crore siphoned off from different treasuries of the state – unfolded:

January 1996: The scam came into light after a raid conducted by the Deputy Commissioner of Chaibasa, Amit Khare at the Animal Husbandry Department.

March 1996: CBI roped in by the Patna High Court after increasing pressure to investigate the case.

March 27, 1996: The FIR for Chaibasa Treasury Case was filed by the CBI.

June 1997: Lalu Prasad Yadav was named an accused in the case for the first time in the chargesheet filed by the CBI. A total of 63 cases were filed under various sections of the IPC for forgery and conspiracy.

July 1997: After filing of chargesheet and following mounting pressure from the Opposition, Lalu resigned as the Chief Minister and anointed his wife Rabri Devi to the top post. Lalu later surrendered in front of the CBI court and was sent to judicial custody.

April 2000: As the investigation progressed, Rabri too was named in the case. However, she was granted bail by the court.

October 2001: Following the bifurcation of Bihar and formation of a new state, Jharkhand, the case was transferred to the Jharkhand High Court.

February 2002: Special CBI court began trial in the fodder scam case.

December 2006: Lalu Yadav and Rabri get acquitted by a lower court in a case pertaining to Disproportionate Assets.

March 2012: CBI tightens its grip around the fodder scam and frames charges against Lalu Yadav and Jagannath Mishra, another former chief minister of Bihar. Lalu charged for forging bills from Animal Husbandry Department when he was the CM. He was also charged of illegally withdrawing Rs 47 lakh from Banka and Bhagalpur treasuries.

September 2013: Trial court convicts Lalu Yadav, Jagannath Mishra and 45 others in the Chaibasa Treasury case. Lalu was then sent to Ranchi prison and lost his membership of the Lok Sabha. He was debarred from contesting elections.

December 2013: Lalu Yadav was granted bail from Supreme Court in the fodder scam case.

May 2017: Trial resumes in fodder scam case following orders from the Supreme Court to separately try them in the Deoghar Treasury case.

December 23, 2017: CBI Court finds Lalu Yadav and 15 others guilty. Lalu sent to Birsa Munda prison, stands convicted in two of the five cases in the fodder scam. Court set January 3, 2018 as the date for pronouncement of quantum of punishment for Lalu and other accused in the case.

January 3, 2018: CBI court defers sentencing by a day in the wake of the demise of advocate Vindeshwari Parsad.

January 4: Sentencing deferred again by a day. Special CBI judge Shivpal Singh tells Lalu he has been receiving calls from his well wishers seeking a lenient sentence for the RJD boss.

January 5: Court hears arguments by counsel of various convicted accused via video conferencing. Lalu’s lawyers plead for minimum punishment citing the RJD chief’s old age and ill-health. Judge defers pronouncing the quantum of sentence once again, sets January 6 as the new date.

January 6: Court sentences Lalu and others to 3.5 years in jail.

—India Legal Bureau

India News

Blasts outside defence establishments in Punjab within 2 hours trigger security alarm

Two explosions near defence-linked locations in Punjab within two hours have triggered alarm and heightened security across the state.

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Two explosion incidents reported within a span of around two hours near key defence-linked locations in Punjab have raised serious security concerns and triggered political reactions.

The first incident took place near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, where a blast involving a delivery scooter was reported in a populated area. The proximity of the explosion to a sensitive security installation immediately drew the attention of authorities.

Shortly after, another blast was reported near a military-linked area in Amritsar, further heightening concerns over security preparedness in the border state. Police and security agencies responded swiftly, deploying bomb disposal squads and forensic teams at both locations.

Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in either incident. However, the back-to-back nature of the explosions caused panic in nearby areas and prompted authorities to place the state on high alert.

Political leaders reacted strongly, questioning the handling of security and pointing to possible lapses. They urged authorities to take preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

Punjab, being a strategically important border state, remains sensitive to such developments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the explosions and whether there are any links between the two incidents.

Security has been tightened around key installations, with agencies assessing whether the blasts were isolated events or part of a broader threat.

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Retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee barred from Bengal offices ahead of BJP government formation

Retired bureaucrats appointed under Mamata Banerjee have been barred from government offices as West Bengal prepares for a BJP-led administration.

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In a significant administrative development following the West Bengal Assembly election results, several retired bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee have reportedly been barred from entering state government offices.

The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in the state after securing a decisive mandate. The move is seen as part of the transition process as the outgoing administration makes way for the incoming regime.

Officials indicated that the restrictions apply specifically to retired personnel who had been given contractual or advisory roles under the previous government. These individuals have now been asked not to access offices or handle official work.

The development follows a broader directive issued by the state administration to ensure that no official documents or records are removed, damaged, or tampered with during the transition period. Authorities have emphasised strict accountability, placing responsibility on departmental heads to safeguard files and maintain proper records.

The political backdrop to this move is the sweeping victory of the BJP in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape after years of Trinamool Congress rule.

With the new government expected to take charge soon, administrative reshuffling and tightening of access to government infrastructure are being viewed as measures to ensure a smooth and transparent handover of power.

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Vijay expresses gratitude to Modi, Rahul Gandhi for congratulatory messages after poll victory

Vijay thanked PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi after his party’s strong Tamil Nadu poll performance, promising governance focused on public welfare.

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.

“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.

The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.

According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.

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