Timeline: Two decades of fodder scam

New Delhi [India], May 8 (ANI): After two decades of back and forth on the fodder scam, the Supreme Court ruled that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has to face separate trials, on Monday. The SC overturned the ruling of the Jharkhand High Court that granted relief to former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad from being tried in cases pertaining to the fodder scam that pertains to the large scale embezzlement of around Rs 1,000 crore by the Animal Husbandry department from various districts under Yadav's rule in Bihar between 1990 and 1997. 8 May 2017: The SC ruled criminal conspiracy charges against Lalu Prasad in connection to the two-decade old fodder scam. November 2014: Lalu Yadav moved Jharkhand HC challenging the CBI court's 2006 verdict that named him in six cases within the fodder scam. The HC ruled that the proceedings would continue under IPC Sections 201 and 511. Other charges were dropped on grounds that a person once convicted or acquitted cannot be tried for the same offence. 30 September 2013: The CBI court convicted Lalu and 44 others in the fodder scam. This made him ineligible to stand in elections for six years. The former CM stood disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha. 13 August 2013: Lalu Prasad's plea to transfer the trail court judge was rejected by SC. 1 March 2012: Charges were framed against Lalu Yadav, Jagannath Mishra, Jagdish Sharma and 31 others for fraudulent withdrawal of 46 lakhs from the treasuries of Banka and Bhagalpur against forged bills. 2 April 2010: The SC ruled that a state government 'is not a competent authority' for a plea by the state government to the Patna High court challenging the CBI's 2006 verdict on disproportionate asset case. 31 May 2007: 58 people, including Lalu's nephews, two former regional directors of the Animal Husbandry Department, and four suppliers were all given 5-6 years in prison. 18 December 2006: Lalu, and his wife Rabri were acquitted of charges in the disproportionate assets case filed against them by the CBI seven years ago in the special CBI court. February 2002: The trial began in a special CBI court in Ranchi. 5 October 2001: The creation of new state forced the case to be transferred to the Jharkhand High Court. 9 June 2000: Charges were framed against Yadav in court. 10 May 2000: Patna High Court granted provisional bail to Lalu. It will be extended on 25 occasions. 5 April 2000: Both Yadav and Devi surrendered to CBI court. While Rabri Devi was granted bail, Lalu Prasad was sent to jail as judge dismissed his bail plea. 4 April 2000: A charge sheet was filed against Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi. 19 August 1998: A case of disproportionate assets was registered against Lalu and his wife Rabri Devi. 30 July 1997: After stepping down as the Bihar chief minister, the RJD chief surrendered before a court. 23 June 1997: 56 people, including Yadav were accused in charge sheets filed by CBI. The charges included IPC 420 (forgery) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) and Section 13 (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 17 June 1997: The Governor of Bihar gave his approval for the prosecution. 10 May 1997: The CBI issued a formal request to Governor of Bihar to prosecute Yadav. March 19 1996: A two member bench was appointed by the SC to examine the development of the investigation. 11 March 1996: The Patna High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe into the case. 27 January 1996: The Rs. 1000 crore fodder scam surfaced after conducting a raid in the Animal Husbandry department. The large scale embezzlement took funds from government and supplied it to non-existent companies for purchase and supply of cattle fodder in Bihar in the 1990s.(ANI)