Insta
Coal mining in India. (Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images)
The Delhi High Court has found H C Gupta, former Coal Secretary in the UPA I government and five others, guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy, as reported by All Indian Radio (AIR).
The special CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) court, headed by Judge Bharat Parashar, pronounced the judgement in the coal scam case. Mr Gupta and five others have now been taken into custody, and the court will decide on the nature and length of punishment in its next hearing on 3 December 2018.
The case refers to irregularities that were uncovered in the allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal. Moira and Madhujore-North and South-coal blocks were allocated to VMPL (Vikash Metals and Power Limited) without following due process, with the CBI registering the case in September 2012.
The court also convicted Vikash Patni, the firm's managing director and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick in the case. All the accused had pleaded not guilty in the case.
It was reported in May 2017 that the CBI had sought the highest quantum of punishment of seven years jail term for H C Gupta who had served as the coal secretary in the first term of the UPA government between 31 December, 2005, to November 2008.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest