Bihar Govt can't appeal against Lalu acquittal, CBI tells SC
Press Trust Of India
Posted online: Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print Email

New Delhi, October 31 : Accusing the Bihar Government of trying to go
against a decision by the Centre, the CBI has moved the Supreme Court
challenging the Patna High Court order allowing the Bihar Government's
plea to hear its appeal against the acquittal of RJD chief Lalu Yadav
in a fodder scam-related case.

Related Stories

India more important to us than Pak: USMHA earns HC wrath for delaying
release of man detained for a yearThe Last ResortRaje, Rajasthan chief
on menu, BJP rebels gather at Jaswant lunchHonestly not enough
Ad Links

The Indian Express BBC News CNN

Claiming that the Bihar Government was not competent enough to file an
appeal in a matter investigated by it, the investigating agency said:
"The Centre after considering the conclusions and findings of the
trial court took a conscious and considered decision that no ground
was made for filing of an appeal against the judgement of the trial
court."

The state Government cannot act contrary to the decision of the Centre
not to appeal against the acquittal, the CBI said, adding the Nitish
Kumar Government had no locus standi to file an appeal in a case which
was investigated by it.

The investigating agency's petition before the Supreme Court is in
addition to similar pleas moved by Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi
against the Bihar Government's move in the apex court.

Opposing the Bihar Government's move to file an appeal in the case, an
off-shoot of the fodder scam, the Railway Minister and his wife filed
a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the High Court order on
September 20.

The Bihar Government had moved the High Court against the trial court
verdict after saying that CBI was not challenging their acqittal on
its own.