Bihar NGO scam : Size grows to Rs 500 crore, Lalu calls for CBI probe

PATNA: With the amount of public money embezzled by an NGO in Bihar rising to Rs 500 crore and the investigation on, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a probe by the CBI into the scam.

Holding deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi “directly responsible” for the scam, Yadav demanded his immediate resignation, saying the BJP leader’s continuation in the cabinet could influence the probe. Yadav also said the unfolding scam could be as big as Rs 1,000 crore and that top government official and politicians were involved in it.

“The law is the same for everyone. I call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a CBI probe into such large-scale embezzlement of public money,” said Yadav in Ranchi after appearing in a court in a fodder scam case.

“Sushil Modi was Bihar’s finance minister and held the commercial taxes portfolio when the embezzlement of public money by the NGO in Bhagalpur began. The embezzlement took place with his knowledge.

He must step down and be sent to jail,” said Yadav, adding that he may approach the high court seeking a CBI probe if the Centre does not order it. Sushil Kumar Modi denied having anything to do with the scam.“It is we who brought this scam to light and swiftly ordered a probe. Why would we do so if we were involved in it?” said Sushil Modi.