1990s Arms Case: Gwalior Court Issues Permanent Arrest Warrant against Ex-Bihar CM Lalu Yadav

A special court in Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) has issued a permanent arrest warrant against former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal purchase of arms and ammunition in 1995-97.

Mahendra Saini, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) of the special court established to try MPs and MLAs, issued the permanent warrant against Lalu Yadav, as stated by special public prosecutor Abhishek Mehrotra.

“The case from 1995-97 pertains to the acquisition of arms from an authorized dealer here using forged documents. There were 23 accused in the case, registered at Inderganj police station, and all have been charged. Among them, Yadav has been declared an absconder,” he stated.

According to the prosecution, the permanent arrest warrant was issued as there was no appearance in court on behalf of the RJD leader. When contacted, Jabalpur-based MP High Court lawyer Rakesh Pandey explained that a permanent arrest warrant is issued after the bailable, arrest, or non-bailable arrest warrants are served but the individual fails to present himself before the court.

“Under bailable and arrest warrants, the court stipulates a time for the accused to appear before it after serving orders to them. This is not the case with a permanent arrest warrant. The accused must be produced in court upon arrest,” Pandey stated.

It is to be noted that Lalu Yadav was convicted and imprisoned in the fodder scam in Bihar, but was released on bail in April 2021.