RS Prasad hails Lalu's conviction as lesson for corrupt leaders

New Delhi [India], Dec 23 (ANI): Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday called the conviction of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad in fodder scam a lesson for those involved in corruption.

"Lalu Prasad's conviction today is a lesson that law will catch up with you if you commit corruption", said Prasad.

He added that the fodder scam verdict is a matter of personal assurance as he had the privilege to argue the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Patna High Court in the early 90s.

"The PIL that I argued on lead to the institution of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry which was strongly opposed by the then state government headed by Lalu Prasad", he noted.

The former Bihar chief minister was brought to Birsa Munda Central Jail after a special CBI court's verdict.

Fourteen others have also been found guilty, while seven accused have been acquitted, including former Bihar CM Jagannath Mishra.The court is scheduled to pronounce the quantum sentence on January 3, 2018, for the 15 guilty, including Lalu Prasad.

Lalu has been convicted in the case relating to embezzling of more than Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar Treasury between 1991 and 1994.

Apart from Lalu, Mishra and 20 others accused were present in the court of special CBI judge Shivpal Singh.

Justice Singh had completed hearing the case on December 13 and asked all accused in the case to remain present in court for the judgment. (ANI)