Supreme Court Rejects CBI's Bid To Cancel Lalu Yadav's Bail, Seeks Expedited Hearing

New Delhi: RJD chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in the Deoghar fodder scam case. The apex court has rejected CBI's demand to cancel his bail. The court said that instead of overturning the 7-year-old bail order, it would be better to dispose of the pending appeal quickly. Besides, instructions were also given to Jharkhand High Court to speed up the hearing.

What argument did CBI give?

On behalf of CBI, ASG S.V. Raju said that Lalu's bail plea had been rejected twice earlier. Later Jharkhand High Court granted him bail on the basis that he had completed 50% of the sentence. The CBI argued that this conclusion was wrong because the sentences in different cases do not automatically run together. On this basis the agency demanded cancellation of bail.

What was said from Lalu's side?

Lalu's lawyer Kapil Sibal said that the issue of section 427 of CrPC, whether the punishment will run together or separately, will be decided in the final decision of the appeal. This is not considered while granting bail. Therefore, there is no need to interfere in the High Court order.

Why did the Supreme Court maintain the bail?

The court said that 7 years have passed since the bail order was challenged. Instead of cancelling the bail after so much time, it is more appropriate to take a final decision on the appeal. For this reason the bench upheld the order of the High Court.

What will happen next now?

The Supreme Court has asked the Jharkhand High Court to complete the hearing on Lalu's appeal without any delay. This means that now the merits of the case will be debated soon and a decision can be taken on the appeal against the decision of the trial court. For now, Lalu Yadav's bail will continue.

What is Deoghar fodder scam case?

This is a case related to illegal withdrawal from Deoghar treasury. In this, the trial court had found Lalu guilty and sentenced him. After this he went to the High Court from where he got bail. The same bail was challenged by the CBI in the Supreme Court.

Now after the Supreme Court's decision, there is no immediate threat to bail. The final decision of the case will come only after the pending appeal in Jharkhand High Court.