LALU PRASAD YADAV Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Mr. P.N. Pandey, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Standing Counsel, C.B.I. for the opposite party.

(2.) BY this application, the petitioner has prayed for grant of regular bail in Special Case No. 64/96 arising out of R.C. No. 63(A)/96 Patna registered under Sections 120B, 409, 420, 418, 467, 477 (A) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(2) read with Section 13 (1)(s) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

(3.) MR . Rakesh Kumar, learned Standing Counsel, C.B.I. appearing on behaif of the opposite party, however, has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of regular bail to the petitioner and submitted that the petitioner is one of the accused in animal husbandry cases where he has played prominent role in the capacity of the Chief Minister of the State of Bihar and, therefore, serious view should be taken while considering his prayer for grant of regular bail. Mr. Rakesh Kumar, however, could not show any dissimilarity in this case from that of R.C. No. 47(A)/96 where he has been admitted to interim bail by the Apex Court, as referred to above. Moreso, it is stated at the bar that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is no longer required as he has already been interrogated and investigation is almost complete. From the materials on record, it appears that the petitioner has remained in custody in all the cases for a total period of more than nine months.