Coal news and updates

Coal scam: Court to hear arguments on charges from March 27

A special court today fixed March 27 for commencement of arguments on framing of charges in a coal blocks allocation scam case in which Delhi-based Rathi Steel and Power Ltd (RSPL) and its three top officials were summoned as accused.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar fixed the matter for hearing arguments on framing of charges after the accused informed the court that scrutiny of copies of charge sheet and documents supplied to them by the agency was complete.

"Accused persons states that the copies of charge sheet received by them is complete in all respect. Compliance of section 207 CrPC stands complete. The case is now adjourned for consideration on charge on March 27," the court said.

RSPL and its officials -- Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal -- were earlier granted bail by the court after they had appeared before it in pursuance to the summons issued against them.

The court had on March 2 had summoned RSPL and its three top officials as accused in the coal scam case pertaining to the alleged irregularities in allocation of Kesla North coal block in Chhattisgarh to the company for alleged offences under sections 120-B(criminal conspiracy) and 420(cheating) of IPC.

CBI had chargesheeted RSPL and Udit Rathi only as accused in the case for alleged offences of criminal conspiracy and cheating. RSPL was allocated Kesla North coal block in Korba, Chhattisgarh on August 5, 2008.

The court had issued summons to the accused after taking cognisance of CBI's charge sheet while observing that they allegedly "deceived" the Ministry of Coal by "misrepresenting" facts regarding possession of land which was a key factor in allocation of coal block.

It had noted that these officials had appeared before the screening committee for making presentation and submitting a feedback form on February 7, 2008 on behalf of RSPL.

CBI had lodged an FIR against RSPL, its directors, Udit Rathi and members of the 36th screening committee and other unknown persons for the offences under section 120-B, 420 of IPC and under provision of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The charge sheet was later on filed against RSPL and Udit Rathi only. Regarding other directors of RSPL or members of 36th screening committee, CBI had said allegations against them could not be substantiated during the probe.

CBI had also told the court that "on account of procedural lapses noticed on part of officers of Coal Ministry, action has been recommended against them to the government."

source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com