Coal Scam: Ex Jharkhand CM, others convicted by Special Court

New Delhi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, ex-coal secretary H C Gupta and others have been found guilty in corruption charges and are convicted in coal scam case by the special court today, news reports said.

The special court shall pronounce the quantum of judgment tomorrow against former Jharkhand CM Gupta, other accused persons, including ex-Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu and private company Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

The Court, however, have acquitted four persons – VISUL’s Director Vaibhav Tulsyan two public servants Basant Kumar Bhattacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh and CA Navin Kumar Tulsyan of all charges in the case pertaining to the case.

The Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar had previously held these accused guilty of various offences which also included criminal conspiracy and irregularities in allocation of Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to the Kolkata-based VISUL.

The Special Court taking cognizance of the alleged offenses against all the accused have served them summons under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants) of IPC and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

During the argument in the court CBI has alleged that the firm did apply for the allocation of Rajhara North coal block on January 8, 2007.

Although Jharkhand government and Steel Ministry have not recommended the accused firm, the 36th Screening Committee then headed by Gupta as Chairman, had allegedly concealed facts from the then PM Manmohan Singh recommended

It said although the Jharkhand government and Steel Ministry did not recommend VISUL’s case for coal block allocation, the 36th Screening Committee recommended the block to the accused firm.

The CBI said that Gupta, who was chairman of the screening committee, had allegedly concealed facts from the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also Coal Ministries Head, that Jharkhand had not recommended VISUL for allocation of a coal block.

The CBI alleged that former Jharkhand CM, Ex-Chief Secretary Basu and others were allegedly involved in conspiring in favour of VISUL firm in the coal block allocation, First Post reported.