Lalu Prasad's sister passes away

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's elder sister Gangotri Devi passed away here on Sunday, a day after the former chief minister of Bihar was handed jail sentence in a fodder scam case.

Gangotri Devi was 73.

The only sister of the RJD chief, Gangotri stayed in the servant's quarter on the campus of Veterinary College ground here. This is the same place where Lalu used to stay before becoming the chief minister of Bihar in March 1990.

Gangotri Devi was praying throughout the day on Saturday hoping for a lesser punishment to her brother.

Her last rites will be performed at Phulwaria in Gopalganj. Since Lalu is presently lodged in Ranchi's Birsa Munda jail, he is unlikely to attend the last rites.

Lalu's wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi, along with her sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav, paid tributes to Gangotri Devi. "Of all the six brothers, Lalu ji was her favourite kin," said Rabri.

Lalu's close aide Bhola Yadav, who is working on the formalities for a bail petition in Jharkhand High Court, said that Lalu may not seek parole to attend the last rites.

"We will apply for a regular bail in a day or two," he said.

Lalu has been awarded a three-and-a-half years in jail by the special CBI court in one of the fodder scam case RC 64A/96, which is related to fraudulent withdrawal of around Rs 90 lakh from Deogarh treasury.

LALU'S JAIL TERM IN FODDER SCAM:

1. July 30, 1997 ----- 135 days

2. Oct 28, 1998 ------ 73 days

3. April 5, 2000 ------ 11 days

4. Nov 28, 2000 ------ 01 day

5. Nov 26, 2001 -------23 days

6. Oct 3, 2013 ------ 70 days

7. Dec 23, 2017 ------- Currently in jail.