Matter regarding violation of jail manual by RJD chief heard in Jharkhand High Court

Ranchi, Jan.8 (HS): Matter regarding violation of jail manual by RJD chief Lalu Prasad was today heard at Jharkhand High Court.

During the hearing the court asked the government why Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) management hurriedly shifted the RJD chief, who is a convicted prisoner of Birsa Munda Central Jail, to RIMS director’s bungalow from paying ward of the health institution without finding other option.

During the hearing, it was said to the court that due to corona pandemic Lalu Prasad was shifted to a bungalow. On which the court observed that if the RIMS administration had consulted jail authorities, the latter would have selected a better place for Prasad.

Jail administration had provided care taken to Prasad at RIMS and during the hearing justified the service saying there is rule in this regard in the jail manual. The court also wanted to know whether there is any rule to provide caretaker for the prisoner outside the jail premises.

During the hearing the court was not satisfied with the answers and gave another date to the state government to come prepared with all answers. Now the matter will be heard on January 22.

CBI counsel during the hearing urged the court to give direction to the state government to shift Prasad to jail saying the prisoner was hale and hearty and did not need hospitalization.

The court had taken note of media reports highlighting misuse of the jail manual and reported Yadav while being in the RIMS director’s bungalow meeting party workers freely. It was also reported that he having been convicted by a court of law has a caretaker with him to help him with his daily life in gross violation of the manual.

Lalu Yadav, has been in prison since December 2017, after being sentenced to seven years in jail under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and violation of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the fodder scam case of fake withdrawals from the Dumka treasury.