New Delhi, Dec 25 (Inditop.com) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday said a total of 298 people have been sentenced in 35 cases related to the fodder scam in Bihar and Jharkhand.

The agency had taken up the investigation of 64 fodder scam cases on the directions of the Supreme Court in March 1996.

In the scam, officials of Bihar’s animal husbandry department (AHD), in connivance with unscrupulous suppliers, bureaucrats and politicians, withdrew and misappropriated huge amounts totalling Rs.721.89 crore from various treasuries in the state.

The money was withdrawn on fake and fabricated bills.

“After a thorough investigation of 64 fodder scam cases, we have filed charge sheets in 60 cases in which large number of accused were put on trial. Out of the total amount of alleged fraud of Rs.721.89 crore, investigation of these cases established fraud of Rs.622 crore,” a CBI spokesman said here.