Bihar can't challenge Lalu's acquittal: SC

New Delhi: In a huge relief to Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi in the disproportionate assets case, the Supreme Court said Thursday Bihar government is not competent enough to challenge the acquittal of Lalu and his wife by the trial court when they were prosecuted by the CBI.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his wife challenging the decision of the Patna High Court admitting the appeal of Bihar government against their acquittal in a disproportionate assets case.

"I am very happy today," said the RJD leader, in response to the judgement. "We welcome SC's verdict. I believe in the judiciary."

The CBI had booked Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi on charges of amassing property worth Rs 46 lakh above their legal sources of income in the fodder scam case.

Lalu was sent to the Bihar military police guest house on judicial remand in July 1997 and again in October 1998...He spent a day in the Beur jail in the disproportionate assets case in November 2000.

Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, however, were acquitted of all charges by Special CBI Judge Muni Lal Paswan in Dec 2006.

The Bihar government challenged their acquittal in 2007.

Corruption allegations:

Lalu has been charged with corruption cases, the most famous being the "Fodder scam". In the Fodder Scam, the funds meant for cattle fodder were diverted from the animal husbandry department. Lalu was one of the main accused in multi-million rupee scam. After corruption charges compelled Lalu to step down as chief minister of Bihar in 1997, he made his wife Rabri Devi the chief minister. From 1997 to 2001, Lalu was sent to jail five times.

Lalu was first sent to "Judicial remand" (Bihar Military Police guest house, Patna) on July 30, 1997 for 134 days.

On October 28, 1998, he was sent again to the same guest house for 73 days.

When the Supreme Court of India took exception to his guest house stay, he was shifted to the Beur jail in Patna.

He was later remanded for 11 days on April 5, 2000, in a disproportionate assets case. He surrendered along with his wife, Rabri Devi, and was sent to the Beur Jail. Due to proceedings in the fodder scam, Lalu was remanded for a day in Beur jail on November 28, 2000.

On November 26, 2001, he was again remanded, in a case related to the fodder scam. Lalu accused NDA of creating a conspiracy against him. On October 1, 2004 the Supreme Court of India served a notice to Lalu and Rabri Devi on fodder scam. This was in response to a petition, which alleged that they have been interfering with the investigation.

Laloo Prasad Yadav and his wife, Rabri Devi have been acquitted in disproportionate assets as per judgment delivered on 18 December 2006.

In August 2008, CNN-IBN alleged that Lalu Prasad had misused his position as the Union Railway Minister to help his relatives acquire land. A year-long investigation by IBN7 shows that Lalu bought land, worth several lakh rupees for his relatives, from those who aspired for a job in the Railways.

Cases against Lalu:

1996 Fodder Scam: Lalu allegedly diverted funds from Animal husbandry dept

DA case: Offshoot of fodder scam,Lalu accused of amassing assets

2008: CNN-IBN exposed Lalu misused position to help relatives acquire land