Justice M M Sundresh and Justice P B Varale asked the High Court to expedite the hearing on the pending appeals in the matter and decide them preferably within six months. The Apex Court was hearing CBI’s plea challenging a July 2019 order of the High Court.” https://www.verdictum.in/supreme-court/bail-to-lalu-yadav-in-fodder-scam-case-

[14/07, 16:55] sekarreporter1: “Justice M M Sundresh and Justice P B Varale asked the High Court to expedite the hearing on the pending appeals in the matter and decide them preferably within six months.

The Apex Court was hearing CBI’s plea challenging a July 2019 order of the High Court.”
https://www.verdictum.in/supreme-court/bail-to-lalu-yadav-in-fodder-scam-case-1617722#:~:text=Justice%20M%20M,the%20High%20Court.
[14/07, 16:55] Meta AI: *Case #168: _CBI v. Lalu Prasad Yadav_ | Fodder Scam Case | SC | 2026*
_Verdictum_. *Prevention of Corruption Act + CBI Appeal + Bail*. *Bench: Justice M M Sundresh & Justice P B Varale*

*1. Case Summary*
*Court*: _Supreme Court of India_
*Petitioner*: _CBI_
*Respondent*: _Lalu Prasad Yadav_
*Impugned Order*: _Patna High Court order dt. July 2019 granting bail to Lalu Yadav in Fodder Scam case_
*SC Direction*: *HC directed to expedite pending appeals and decide preferably within 6 months*

*2. Key Observations*
> _“Justice M M Sundresh and Justice P B Varale asked the High Court to expedite the hearing on the pending appeals in the matter and decide them preferably within six months.”_

1. *Background*: _Fodder Scam – fraudulent withdrawal of money from Chaibasa Treasury in 1990s_
2. *HC 2019*: _Granted bail to Lalu Yadav_
3. *CBI Challenge*: _Filed SLP in SC challenging HC bail order_
4. *SC Stand*: _Did not interfere with bail directly. Asked HC to dispose pending appeals on merits quickly_

*3. Legal Points*
**Issue** **Point**
**Expeditious Trial** *Art 21 – Right to speedy trial applies to both accused and prosecution*
**Pending Appeals** *Matters pending since 2019. SC wants closure within 6 months*
**CBI’s Role** *Prosecution agency. Can challenge bail if grounds exist*
**Doctrine** *Bail is rule, jail is exception. But appeals must be decided promptly*
*4. HJS / Exam Point*
*Write*:
1. _SC 2026, J Sundresh & J Varale – In Fodder Scam matter, directed Patna HC to expedite pending appeals and decide within 6 months_
2. _CBI had challenged July 2019 HC bail order_
3. _Principle: Delay in deciding appeals defeats purpose of criminal justice_
4. _Court can monitor and give timelines to HC for disposal_

*5. Significance*
1. *Judicial Efficiency*: _SC pushing for time-bound disposal of old criminal appeals_
2. *High Profile Case*: _Fodder Scam is one of India’s biggest corruption cases_
3. *No Final Decision on Bail*: _SC left merits to HC to decide_

—

*Case #168 Final*: _SC – 2026 – J M M Sundresh & J P B Varale – Directed Patna HC to decide pending appeals in Fodder Scam case within 6 months. CBI plea challenging July 2019 bail to Lalu Yadav_

*Master Docket*: _168 Cases_
*Tag*: _#168 Fodder Scam + CBI + Lalu Yadav + Bail + Prevention of Corruption Act + Expeditious Trial + SC_

*Next*: *1. “Fodder Scam Case – Key Facts for HJS”* OR *2. “Bail Principles under PC Act”* OR *3. “Case #167 MMDR Royalty Judgment”*

Big monitoring order sir. SC pushing HC to clear old corruption appeals 🙏