CBI court to hear Madhu Koda plea for former PM to appear in coal scam on 2 Sep
Case pertains to irregularities in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand
New Delhi: A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Friday fixed 2 September as the date to hear ex-Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda’s plea for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appear in court in connection with the coal allocation scandal.
This case pertains to irregularities in the allocation of the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand. The CBI has chargesheeted Koda, former coal secretary H.C Gupta, 10 others and five firms on various charges, including criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and certain provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Special CBI judge Bharat Parashar also fixed 18 September as the date for the commencement of trial in the case. Before the trial begins, arguments on framing of charges in the case will take place.
Former coal secretary Gupta moved an application seeking the dropping of proceedings against him on account of lack of sanction to try him for the alleged offences in the case.
This application will also be heard in the subsequent hearing.
The court is also recording evidence against Koda, Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary Ashok Kumar Basu and six others in connection with another coal block allocation case. That pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd.
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