The minimum fine imposed was Rs.40,000 and the maximum Rs.4.90 lakh -- on Tripurari Mohan, a supplier. Mohan was also sentenced to five years in jail.

Rana was an employee in the animal husbandry department (AHD), but quit his job in 1994 and joined the RJD. He served as an MP from undivided Bihar.

There were 20 accused in this case. Four died during trial, two confessed their crimes and rest were convicted on Friday.

A total of 53 cases out of the total 61 were transferred to Jharkhand after the state was carved out of Bihar in 2000 and seven CBI courts set up for speedy trial. These courts have delivered judgement in 31 cases, convicting more than 230 of the accused and sentencing them to jail terms from three to seven years.