In the heat and dust raised by the Bihar Governors sanction to the CBI to prosecute Laloo Prasad Yadav in the multi-crore fodder scam, close advisers of the Chief Minister have contacted AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha in Chennai.
She is placed in similar circumstances with former Governor M Chenna Reddy giving his sanction for her prosecution in the Tansi land deal case. The former Chief Minister has petitioned the Madras High Court and questioned the authority of the Governor to sanction her prosecution. Laloo Yadav has already hinted that he would challenge the sanction in court.
A judgement in Jayalalithas case is expected shortly, and would have persuasive value in Laloo Yadavs case.
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Yesterday, the Madras High Court put off the hearing to June 20 on the request of Jayalalithas counsel.
A copy of Jayalalithas petition has been sought by Laloo Yadavs advisers, Janata Dal sources said.
Jayalalithas petition raises the general question whether the Governor had the authority to sanction her prosecution at a time when the question as to whether such a power and authority was vested in the Governors office was pending before the constitution bench of the Supreme Court.
Yesterday, Laloo Yadav took a line similar to that of Jayalalitha, and alleged that the CBI had misled the Governor by placing before him records of dubious origin.
Jayalalitha has sought a stay on the sanction based on materials placed before Reddy by the crime branch of the CID.