PATNA, Aug 6: The judicial remand of former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav in the Rs 950-crore fodder scam has been extended to August 20, even as he was shifted today to a hospital following chest pain.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel LR Ansari alleged in the designated court that Laloo had got himself hospitalised to avoid being produced before the special judge.

On the other hand, Laloo charged that the CBI wanted to liquidate him by taking him on remand. In a petition filed before special judge SK Lal, he alleged that CBI Joint Director (East) UN Biswas wanted to take him outside the State on remand ``in order to finish him''. His counsel Shakil Ahmed Khan said, ``The CBI may administer poison to Yadav in food or tea when he is taken on remand.''

The judge sought a detailed report from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences -- where Laloo has been shifted -- on his condition. However, Institute Director SN Mishra said his condition was ``stable''.While Laloo's judicial remand in one of the fodder scam cases was to have ended today, he was already on remand till August 13 in three other cases.Meanwhile, 34 others, including two of Laloo's former Cabinet colleagues -- Vidyasagar Nishad and Bholaram Toofani and three serving and retired IAS officers, were further remanded to judicial custody till August 20.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.