New Delhi: The CBI, which probed the fodder scam cases against Railway Minister Laloo Prasad as well as wealth case against him and Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, has termed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of their bail as "politically motivated".

The Supreme Court had on October 1 issued notices to Laloo Prasad, Rabri Devi, CBI and Central Board of Direct Taxes on the petition filed by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Sushil Modi and JD-U (Janata Dal-United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lallan' seeking cancellation of the bail of the accused on the ground that they have been interfering with the probe and trial.

It was alleged that since the new Government, of which RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) is a coalition partner, has come to power at the Centre, concerted efforts were made to scuttle the probe and trial in the fodder scam cases by changing the investigating officers and public prosecutors as Laloo is a key accused in the scam.

Giving a clean chit to Laloo, the CBI in its affidavit before the apex Court said the allegation that he was indulging in acts to derail the prosecution "is completely false and not at all borne out from the facts and records of the case".

Questioning the locus standi of the petitioners to file the petition before the court, the investigating agency said, "The petitioner is a politician and is obviously seeking to achieve his own political purposes."