Bihar fodder scam files go missing, Rudy says govt trying to protect Lalu

An FIR has been lodged in connection with the theft of Bihar's animal husbandry directorate's 500 files, supposedly related to the multi-crore fodder scam.

“An FIR has been lodged for the theft of 500 files of the animal husbandry directorate from its office,” a police official said on Wednesday. Former Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted in the Rs 900-crore embezzlement scandal.

The theft has triggered political outcry, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemning the act. Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy hit back at the JD (U)-RJD led Bihar government and alleged that 

“some people in the system are trying to get relief for Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam”.

“The missing files signify that there are people in the system trying to get a clean-chit for Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav. Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar are friends and they are partners in crime,” he added.

Rudy evoked the 1997 incident when Lalu Prasad Yadav had to step down as the Chief Minister as he was charged and sentenced in the fodder scam case.  The fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 1,000 crore was done by the animal husbandry department in various districts when Lalu was the Chief Minister from 1990. Officials of the department, in connivance with suppliers and the top brass of the state’s bureaucracy and politicians, withdrew money using fake bills and vouchers to buy feed, fodder and medicine for livestock, he said.

Continuing his tirade against Nitish-Lalu, Rudy said there has been an increase in crime in Bihar, adding that the state government was shielding criminals.