Ranchi: More troubles are likely for the ailing RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, incarcerated in the Rs 950 crore fodder scam and now undergoing treatment in Rajendra Prasad Institute of Medical Science here, as the Enforcement Directorate may confiscate assets created by those convicted in the scandal in line with the directions to CBI by a special court. The former Bihar chief minister was earlier this week sentenced to five years in prison and slapped a fine of Rs 60 lakh by a special CBI court here in connection with the fifth fodder scam case involving embezzlement of over Rs 139 crore from Doranda treasury.
The special court directed CBI to provide a copy of the judgment, the FIR and the charge sheet of the fodder scam case to the ED for necessary action. In the judgment delivered on February 21, CBI special judge Sudhanshu Kumar Shashi said "I find that the properties/assets created from the proceeds of the crime by the convicts and dead accused persons of this case could not be identified." He said it may be a subject for investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
"The Enforcement Directorate, if wishes so, and if law permits, may proceed for identification and confiscation of such properties/assets created by convicts or dead accused persons by the ill gotten money. Thus, the prosecution(CBI) is directed to provide a copy of this judgment, FIR and charge-sheet etc. of this case to Enforcement Directorate for taking necessary action on their part," the order said. The judge said that it was found that the accused was narrowing down the scope of investigation after the scam broke out.