Coalscam: court dismisses Devendra Darda's plea to go abroad

A special court today dismissed as withdrawn a plea filed by Devendra Darda, facing prosecution in a coalscam case also involving his father and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, seeking permission to travel abroad after it was informed that his meeting for business purpose has been cancelled.
Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar dismissed Devendra's plea after his counsel sought withdrawal of the petition on the ground that his meeting with the Finland-based firm has been cancelled.
CBI had opposed his plea seeking permission to go to Finland and Sweden from November 8 to November 14 saying his invite for meeting with the Finland-based firm, Outotec, was cancelled after they came to know that a criminal case was pending against the accused.

As soon as the matter came up for hearing today, advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Devendra, told the judge that he was seeking withdrawal of his plea to travel abroad.
The court, in its order, noted "though reply to Devendra's application has been filed by CBI but no purpose was now left in deciding the plea."
"Accordingly, the application dated October 27, 2014 seeking permission to travel abroad by accused No. 3 Devendra Darda is hereby dismissed as withdrawn," the court said.
CBI has chargesheeted Vijay Darda, Devendra Darda, Manoj Jayaswal, Director of Nagpur-based AMR Iron and Steel Pvt Ltd, and the firm as accused in a coalscam case for offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) of IPC and under Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court is at present hearing arguments on framing of charges in the case which is fixed for December 5.