In yet another judgment in the fodder scam case, a special CBI court of Sita Ram Prasad on Friday sentenced the remaining 12 convicted persons, including the former JD (U) MP Jagdish Sharma, in fodder scam case RC34/96 and awarded rigorous imprisonment to all of them in the tune of four to five years also slapping a fine at the tune of Rs 3.5 to 18 lakh. Sharma was sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 4 lakh.
“All the 12 convicts were sentenced to RI ranging between four to five years,” said CBI advocate Shiv Kumar ‘Kaka’ “It was the 46th case of the 53 cases registered in the fodder scam which reached to the conclusion. There are seven still pending in the various special designated CBI courts in Ranchi,” Kaka said. “ I had made submissions before he court during the arguments at the point of judgment that lenient view may not be taken as it was a crime against society at large,” Kaka added.
According to Kaka Sharma has been charged under section 120 (B), 420, 409, 467, 468, 471, 477-A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with 13(2) read with 13(1) (C) and (D) of Prevention of Corruption Act while the suppliers have been charged with section 420, 467 and 471 of IPC, he added. The court on Wednesday had convicted all the 19 accused persons in the case granting bail to seven of them who were sentenced for a period of less than three years. Sentencing for the rest of the 12 convicted persons in the case was kept on pending for Friday. RC34A/96 relates to the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 1.16 crore from Godda treasury during 1992-95.
Out of the total 30 accused persons, six died during the course of trial, two turned approvers, two admitted their guilt and one is still absconding.