DALTONGANJ: Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad was on Wednesday morning acquitted by a lower court here in the 13-year-old case of model code of conduct violation during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and let off with a fine of Rs 6,000.
Ramdeo Prasad Yadav, one of the four advocates who appeared for Lalu, said the RJD president confessed to his guilt before the Special MP/MLA court of judicial magistrate S K Munda. "The court admitted Lalu's confession petition and imposed a fine of Rs 6,000, which was immediately deposited with the Nazareth. The case against him now stands disposed," he added.
RJD's state president Sanjay Kumar Singh said the violation was in regard to landing a helicopter on the premises of Govind High School in Garhwa to participate in a campaign rally for the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. "The spectatprs had crowded the rally site, and even climbed trees to catch a glimpse of the leader. Hence, the pilot landed in an open field instead of the designated helipad, violating the poll code," he added. Lalu was booked by the then Garhwa block development officer.
D K Singh, another of Lalu's lawyers, said, "The punishment of the violation is penalty or imprisonment of up to 45 days or both. Lalu was penalised instead of being awarded a jail term as he has already served jail terms in other cases."
