Coal scam: Court frames charges against JIPL and its directors RC Rungta, RS Rungta

NEW DELHI: Jharkhand Ispat Pvt Ltd ( JIPL) and its two directors R C Rungta and R S Rungta were today put on trial by a special court which framed charges against them for securing allotment of North Dhadu coal block in Jharkhand allegedly on the basis of false and forged documents.

The court framed charges against the three accused for alleged offences punishable under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using a forged document as genuine) of the IPC.

The court had on March 9 ordered that they be put on trial saying that prima facie charges of cheating, conspiracy and forgery was made out against the three accused.

"In terms of order dated March 9, 2015, charge for the offences under sections 120-B/420/467/468 and 471 IPC has been framed against all the accused i.e M/s JIPL, R C Rungta and R S Rungta and charge for the offences under sections 420/467/ 468/471 of the IPC has been framed against accused R C Rungta and charge for the offences under sections 420/468/471 of IPC has been framed against accused R S Rungta," Special Judge Bharat Parashar said.

After the court framed charges against them, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

During the hearing, senior public prosecutor A P Singh moved a plea under section 294 of the CrPC (no formal proof of certain documents) saying that accused may be called upon to admit or deny various documents related to the case to curtail the necessity of examining all the prosecution witnesses.

The prosecutor said that the case was primarily based on documents and it would be in the interest of justice if trial would not be unnecessarily prolonged on the ground of proving some documents which have been admittedly signed by accused.

The court supplied the copy of application moved by CBI to the accused and posted the matter for hearing on April 1.

"Put up for reply and consideration on the application under section 294 CrPC on April 1," the judge said, adding, "Matter be now put up on April 1 for admission and denial of documents."

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of North Dhadu coal block in Jharkhand to JIPL.