SC issues notice to CBI on bail plea by Lalu Prasad

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the CBI on a plea by former Bihar chief minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad for bail.

His counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Lalu, submitted before a bench presided over by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that he has been in jail for 22 months.

There are three cases where he has been held guilty. The evidence are same in all the three cases related to fodder scam, he said.

The bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, sought a response from the CBI on Lalu's petitions, within two weeks.

Besides, citing health ground, Lalu also mentioned the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to get the relief.

Lalu has been recuperating in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi.

In his petition, the RJD chief has contended that in the Lok Sabha polls, he had to sign the papers to the party candidates for contesting the elections on party symbol.

The Jharkhand High Court had on January 10 rejected his plea for bail on similar grounds, saying he was convicted in the serious corruption charges.

Lalu has been convicted in cases related to fodder scam for fraudulent withdrawal of money during his tenure as chief minister.