RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.14: The state guest house in Jharkhand capital turned into RJD workers’ house today as Lalu Prasad Yadav chose the place to stay here a day before the order in a case of fodder scam involving him and various others comes.
Among those who paid visits included the state executive president of Congress Bandhu Tirkey and senior leaders like Gautam Sagar Rana besides Rajya Sabha MP and daughter of Yadav Misa Bharti and several others.
Unlike the state guest house, the civil court where special judge Sudhanshu Kumar Shashi will pronounce the judgment looked normal and there was no discussion taking the matter.
Even CBI ASP B.K.Singh and CBI lawyer B.M.P.Singh did not appear enthusiastic in talking on the issue of judgment. They refused to talk about the matter when approached for their comments.
Outside the court campus, police officials were alerted. They were noticed standing at different strategic locations and appeared more careful today.
“There is a UPA government in Jharkhand and Lalu Ji is a UPA leader. So, we are careful to ensure that none of the UPA leaders get any opportunity to complain against policing during pronouncement of judgment,” a police official said.
Court officials said that at the time of order, Yadav along with other accused will remain present in the court and the order will be pronounced offline.
“It is quite possible that a decision on the quantum of punishment will be pronounced online but as far as the pronouncement of judgment is concerned it will be done offline,” a court official said.
Till afternoon, nothing was clear where Yadav will be kept in case he is convicted. Jail authorities and police officials remained tight-lipped.
An RJD worker was heard guessing: “In case convicted, Lalu Ji must be given proper time. Till award of the sentence, he will be kept in Birsa Munda Central Jail but once the sentence is pronounced there is every possibility of him being shifted to RIMS where he stayed last time for medical care.”