Coal-block case: CBI seeks max punishment

New Delhi: CBI on Thursday sought maximum sentence of 7 years for former coal secretary HC Gupta and the then joint secretary KS Kropha for their involvement in a coal-block allocation scam.

The duo was held guilty by the special CBI court here last week. CBI also sought maximum punishment for a co-accused, Nagpur-based firm M/s Grace Industries Limited director Mukesh Gupta.

The quantum of the sentence will be pronounced on August 8. HC Gupta's counsel opposed CBI's contention and said there was no evidence of pecuniary gain in the case.