Ranchi, Sept. 7: A special CBI court hearing fodder scam cases today directed former chief minister Lalu Prasad to conclude deposition of defence witnesses by the end of next Friday so that the trial process can be expedited.

Special CBI court (AHD) of S.S. Prasad, who is hearing RC 68A/96 related to alleged misappropriation of Rs 37.62 crore from the Chaibasa treasury, came out with order after Lalu's counsel sought more time to record statements of two witnesses. The judge asked when the two witnesses, former Bihar vigilance DG D.P. Ojha and former RPF DG A.P. Dorai, would be recording their statements since thay had already been issued summons. In fact, the court noted that a warrant had been issued against Dorai who lives in Chennai.

When Lalu's lawyer Prabhat Kumar sought some more time, the judge observed that he wanted to conclude recording defence witness statements before Durga Puja.

On the pending summons and warrant issued against Dorai, the court said that in case he failed to turn-up, his statements given in other fodder scam cases could be incorporated in RC 68A/96 case.

Today, RJD MP from Banka parliamentary constituency Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav recorded his statement as a defence witness.

Yadav, who was minister in the Lalu Prasad-led Bihar government during 1990 and 1995, said the then Bihar governor had granted prosecution sanction against Lalu in a fodder scam case without seeking aide and advice from the cabinet.

Yadav said under constitutional provisions the governor was bound to act on the advice of the cabinet. But that was not followed in the fodder scam case. However, prosecution lawyer B.M.P. Singh contended that Yadav, being loyal to Lalu, was not telling the whole truth. Singh claimed the governor wasn't required to consult the cabinet while seeking to prosecute a chief minister.

Plea in HC

Lalu Prasad moved Jharkhand High Court on Thursday against a special CBI court order on the period of fodder scam cases against him.

The special court has said cases RC 68A/96 and 64A/96 pertain to a time frame between 1990 and 1997.

But Lalu claims the period should be between 1990 and 1996 when he was chief minister of Bihar.