New Delhi: The Supreme Court on 14 July 2026 declined to interfere with the Jharkhand High Court’s decision granting bail to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam cases. The apex court, however, directed the High Court to expedite the hearing of the pending criminal appeals, preferably within six months.
A Bench of the Supreme Court observed that there was no ground to cancel the bail granted by the High Court at this stage. The court emphasized that the appeals should be heard and decided without unnecessary delay so that the long-pending cases could reach their conclusion.
Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted in multiple fodder scam cases involving the fraudulent withdrawal of government funds from the erstwhile undivided Bihar’s animal husbandry department. He has been out on bail while challenging the convictions before the Jharkhand High Court.
The Supreme Court’s order provides relief to the veteran politician while ensuring that the legal proceedings continue on a fast-track basis. The judgment is expected to be closely watched as the High Court takes up the pending appeals in the coming months.
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