Patna, Aug 29 (IANS): A Bihar court Monday fixed Sep 21 as the date for framing charges against former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Jagannath Mishra, among the 11 accused in a case related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs.47 lakh from the treasury to purchase fodder for public distribution.

The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court had on Aug 18 dismissed the discharge petitions filed by them. It had fixed Aug 29 as the date for framing of charges against the accused and asked them to be present on the day.

Lalu Prasad and Mishra were in court and requested for time to file an appeal in the Patna High Court against the dismissal of their discharge petition.

The two leaders told reporters that they would appeal in the high court soon.

The case, which has come to be known as the fodder scam, was filed against Lalu Prasad, Mishra and the other accused for allegedly conspiring to fraudulently withdraw Rs.47 lakh from the Bhagalpur treasury between 1995 and 1996.

The CBI had filed the chargesheet against 44 people on March 31, 2003 and the court had taken its cognisance on April 30 that year.

Of the 44 accused, six have died, two have turned approver, while two others are still evading arrest. In total, 34 people are facing trial in the scam.