Ranchi: A Special CBI court today awarded prison terms ranging from six years to three years to 23 accused in the fodder scam, including three senior Animal Husbandry Department officials, in the case pertaining to withdrawal of Rs 27.32 crore from Ranchi treasury.

Judge J K N Tiwari awarded six years jail term to former regional Director (AHD) J Bhengraj, former AHD officials U K Yadav and B B Prasad and 14 suppliers.

The court also imposed a fine ranging between Rs 1.35 lakh and Rs 1.8 lakh and on them. On default of payment of fine, the convicts would have to undergo simple imprisonment for another six months, the judge said. Six other suppliers were awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and a fine ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.35 lakh.

The court did not pronounce sentence against one of the convicts O P Gupta, who died in the jail two days ago. The quantum of sentence against the rest eight convicts in the 24a/96 case would be delivered tomorrow. The court on December seven convicted sixty four accused in the case.

Source : PTI