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| Ex-minister Laloo Prasad Yadav convicted in 'fodder scam' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A former Indian minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, has been convicted in a long-running corruption case. | |
| A court in India found him guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy in the case known as the "fodder scam", hich first came to light in 1996. | |
| Mr Yadav was charged with embezzling state funds intended to be spent on cattle fodder while he was chief minister of Bihar. | Mr Yadav was charged with embezzling state funds intended to be spent on cattle fodder while he was chief minister of Bihar. |
| Mr Yadav, who was later the federal railways minister, denies the charge. | |
| He is among the 45 people convicted by a special court in Ranchi in the eastern state of Jharkhand. | |
| The sentencing is due on 3 October. Lawyers present in the Ranchi court said Mr Yadav could be jailed between four and seven years. | |
| Last March, a court framed charges against Mr Yadav and two other senior politicians in the case relating to fraudulent withdrawal of funds by officials from treasuries in the districts of Banka and Bhagalpur between 1994 and 1996. | |
| Mr Yadav maintains that he has been falsely implicated. | Mr Yadav maintains that he has been falsely implicated. |
| There were a total of 56 accused in the case. | There were a total of 56 accused in the case. |
| During the trial, seven of them died, two decided to give evidence for the prosecution, one admitted to the crime and one was discharged, reports say. | During the trial, seven of them died, two decided to give evidence for the prosecution, one admitted to the crime and one was discharged, reports say. |
| Correspondents say Monday's verdict will be crucial for the political fortunes of Mr Yadav since a recent executive order protecting convicted MPs and legislators from Supreme Court ban on holding office is likely to be withdrawn. | Correspondents say Monday's verdict will be crucial for the political fortunes of Mr Yadav since a recent executive order protecting convicted MPs and legislators from Supreme Court ban on holding office is likely to be withdrawn. |
| In an uncharacteristic outburst last week, Rahul Gandhi, senior leader of India's ruling Congress, said the move by his government to protect convicted MPs was "complete nonsense". | In an uncharacteristic outburst last week, Rahul Gandhi, senior leader of India's ruling Congress, said the move by his government to protect convicted MPs was "complete nonsense". |
| In 2006, a court had acquitted Mr Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi - also a former chief minister of Bihar - in a case of amassing wealth disproportionate to his income. | In 2006, a court had acquitted Mr Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi - also a former chief minister of Bihar - in a case of amassing wealth disproportionate to his income. |
| Laloo Yadav is one of India's most colourful politicians. He leads a regional party in Bihar. | Laloo Yadav is one of India's most colourful politicians. He leads a regional party in Bihar. |
| He resigned as chief minister of Bihar after the allegations of corruption arose. His wife Rabri Devi was installed in his place. | He resigned as chief minister of Bihar after the allegations of corruption arose. His wife Rabri Devi was installed in his place. |
| Mr Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal party lost power in state elections in 2005. | Mr Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal party lost power in state elections in 2005. |