In India, a court sentenced a powerful regional politician Laloo Prasad Yadav to three and a half years in prison on a second conviction of embezzling state government funds as a top elected official two decades ago.
The court found Yadav guilty of conspiracy to defraud the Bihar state government of 8.45 million rupees.
Yadav already is serving a five-year prison sentence on a conviction in a related case for fraudulently withdrawing 378 million rupees from the Bihar state government treasury for fictitious medicines and fodder for cattle. Yadav has been barred from contesting elections.
Corruption is endemic in Indian politics. Judges are now expediting trials of politicians following a Supreme Court order to reach verdicts within one year in cases in which lawmakers are accused of serious crimes.