Coal scam: Court to hear arguments in GIL's case from Mar 5

NEW DELHI: Arguments on framing of charges in a coal scam case of alleged irregularities in allocation of a Maharashtra coal block to a Nagpur-based accused firm would commence on March 5, a special court said today.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who was scheduled to hear the arguments today, posted it for March 5 observing that one other coal scam case was listed for recording of evidence.

"Prosecution evidence is being recorded in another case today. It will not be feasible for the court to hear arguments on the point of charge," the court said.

The court had earlier granted bail to ex-Coal Secretary HC Gupta and four others, including a senior public servant, in connection with the case.

Besides Gupta, bail was also granted to public servant KS Kropha, who was a former Joint Director in Ministry of Coal, Vishwas Sawakhande, earlier Director in Directorate of Geology and Mining in Maharashtra government and directors of Grace Industries Ltd (GIL), Mukesh Gupta and Seema Gupta.

The court had summoned GIL and the five individuals as accused in the case for alleged offences punishable under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) read with 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 420 (cheating) of IPC and under relevant provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to CBI, the 34th Screening Committee had allotted Lohara (East) coal block jointly to M/s GIL and to M/s Murli Agro Products Pvt Ltd and the letter of allotment was issued on June 27, 2008.

CBI had chargesheeted the firm and one of its directors alleging they had misrepresented facts to bag the coal block.