Dumka treasury case: Tejashwi Yadav says Lalu's life under threat after RJD chief gets 14-year jail

Hours after a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court sentenced Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad to fourteen years in jail in the Dumka treasury case, RJD leader and son Tejashwi Yadav alleged that there is a threat to his father's life adding that a conspiracy is being hatched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Lalu was earlier today sentenced to seven years imprisonment under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections and seven years under sections related to PC Act in the fourth fodder scam case.The RJD chief has also been slapped with fine of Rs. 60 lakh in the case. "We will challenge it (fodder scam case) in High Court. We will decide further strategy on basis of overall judgment in all four cases. I am sure there is threat to Lalu Ji's life, looking at the conspiracy being planned by BJP," Tejashwi told ANI. The case pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.5 crore from the Dumka treasury by Animal Husbandry Department officials between 1991 and 1996 when Lalu was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.

Later, BJP leader Sushil Modi played down possibility of threat to Lalu's life while reaction to Tejashwi's comments. He said:

If a person is under police custody & fears for his life, he must go and appeal in Court. What is posing the threat to him? How can he be in danger when no one is allowed to meet him?: Deputy Bihar CM Sushil Modi on Tejashwi Yadav's statement 'there is threat to my father's life' pic.twitter.com/yCUB6QZhZl

— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2018

Lalu was earlier on March 19 held guilty in the Dumka treasury case by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.