Coal Scam: Delhi HC admits appeal of former coal secretary, joint secretary challenging conviction

The Delhi Court on Wednesday admitted the appeal filed by the former coal secretaries H C Gupta and K S Kropha, who were convicted and punished in a case involving irregularities in the distribution of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. The appeal was filed in opposition to the trial court’s decision.

After taking note of the arguments presented by the solicitors for both parties, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma’s bench sent a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about the appeal filed by HC Gupta and KS Kropha.

Advocate Tarannum Cheema represented the Central Bureau of Investigation, and attorney Rahul Tyagi represented the appellants in the case before the Delhi High Court.

In a case involving alleged anomalies in the distribution of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, the Delhi High Court recently granted interim bail to industrialist Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, his son Devender Darda, and former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda.

Sanjay Bansal, the trial court judge, condemned the former coal secretary Gupta and two senior government employees, K S Kropha and K C Samria, to three years in prison in the case and then granted bail to all three employees.

Having been found guilty under Sections 120-B IPC, 120-B r/w S. 420 IPC, and 13 (1)(d)(iii) r/w 13(2) PC Act, JLD Yavatmal Energy Ltd. was fined Rs. 50 lakh.

All of them were found guilty and sentenced to prison by Special Judge Sanjay Bansal for crimes related to sections 1208 (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code as well as the pertinent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused was cleared of all charges under Section 409 of the IPC (Criminal Breach of Trust by Public Servants), nevertheless.

JLD Yavatmal Energy Limited received Fatehpur East, the CBI had earlier informed the court.
Earlier, the CBI informed the court that JLD Yavatmal Energy Limited obtained the Fatehpur East Coal Block in Chhattisgarh as a result of fabricating information about the qualifying requirements as part of the alleged criminal conspiracy.

According to the CBI, this was the 13th conviction in the coal scam-related case.

The CBI has filed charges connected to the coal scam in conjunction with accusations that coal blocks were assigned based on fraudulent statements and representations made in applications and presentations, as well as with the complicity or lack of diligence of public officials.

Also Read: Boeing begins production of Apache Helicopters for Indian Army

Catch all the Latest Business News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on NewsX)