SC reserves verdict in Lalu case

New Delhi, March 10: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a petition by the RJD supremo, Mr Lalu Prasad, challenging the Bihar government’s decision filing an appeal against his acquittal in the disproportionate assets case before the Patna High Court.

Before the verdict was reserved by a Bench, headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Mr Prasad’s counsel, Mr Ram Jethmalani, expressed the apprehension that he was not sure whether the Centre would stick to its earlier stand that no appeal could be filed by the state government, or it would change its stance in the changed circumstances.

“Now Lalu Prasad is not in power, I hope Central government does not change its stand,” said Mr Jethmalani while opening the arguments on behalf of the RJD chief.

But his apprehension proved short-lived. As he finished his two-hour-long arguments, the CBI counsel reiterated Centre’s view that since the investigation and prosecution was conducted by the agency, the state government has no role to file an appeal.

“In this case the state has neither any jurisdiction, nor any role to play, that is my submission,” the CBI counsel said.