Listening to a bail petition filed by the RJD leader Lalu Yadav, the Jharkhand High court rejected the Bail petition on 23rd February, 2018. Hon’ble Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh while giving the order said that the court would not consider the bail petition unless the convict undergoes half period of the allotted sentence. This bail petition was filed in relation to withdrawing of Rs 89 lakh form Deoghar treasury in Jharkhand and he was convicted by a special CBI court for his fraudulent act on 23rd December, 2017 and was sentenced to three and half years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh on 6th January, 2018.

Lalu Yadav is presently facing his sentence in the Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi, Jharkhand. 15 others were also convicted in the Deoghar Fodder Scam.

Surinder Singh, counsel appearing from the side of Lalu Yadav said that Lalu Yadav was the Chief Minister when the illegal withdrawals took place form the Deoghar treasury and he was not aware of such illegal withdrawals. The counsels appearing on Lalu Yadav also brought forward various health issues being suffered by Lalu Yadav and his advancing age.

Opposing the same CBI lawyer argued that Lalu Yadav was physically fit and not suffering from any illness. He further added that Lalu was well aware of all the illegal withdrawals that were made from the Deoghar treasury.
The High Court said that Lalu Yadav is an convict of a serious offence of fraud and which has directly hampered the public interest and set wrong examples of administration, and he can’t be allowed to escape so easily.
Lalu Yadav counsels said that they will now appeal for a bail before the Supreme Court only after he undergoes half term of his imprisonment. Meanwhile the criminal appeal in the Jharkhand High court against the trial court judgment will continue.