Convicted Jagannath Mishra surrenders to serve jail term

IMA Ponzi scheme case: A multi-crore scheme run by Karnataka-based I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) and its group entities allegedly duped lakhs of people by promising higher returns using Islamic ways of investment. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case and has filed at least three FIRs. (File image of the CBI headquarters)

Former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra, who was convicted along with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, in a fodder scam case last month, surrendered today before a special CBI court here to serve the jail term awarded to him.

The three-time chief minister was not present in the court on January 24 when he, Prasad and 48 others were convicted because of a death in his family.

Special CBI judge S S Prasad awarded both the former chief ministers five years' rigorous imprisonment in connection with the case involving fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 37.62 crore from the Chaibasa Treasury in early 1990s.

This is the second fodder scam case in which Mishra was convicted. In 2013, he was convicted in the first case along with Prasad.

However, On December 23 last year, when the RJD boss was convicted in a third fodder scam case, Mishra was acquitted.

After his surrender, Mishra was taken to Birsa Munda Central Jail here.