CBI today claimed in a special court that Delhi-based Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) and its three officials, who were summoned as accused in a coal scam case, had "misrepresented" facts before a screening panel to acquire a coal block in Chhattisgarh, a charge denied by the accused.
Commencing arguments on framing of charges in the case, senior public prosecutor V K Sharma said the misrepresentation by the firm and its officials was regarding possession of land, which was a key factor in the allocation of coal block.
"Accused (RSPL and its three officials) had misrepresented facts about possession of land before the screening committee to acquire Kesla North coal block," the agency told Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar.
RSPL and its officials - Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal - were earlier summoned as accused in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Kesla North coal block to the firm for alleged offences under sections 120-B(criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC.
The three accused were granted bail by the court after they appeared before it.
During the arguments, senior advocate N Hariharan, who appeared for Pradeep Rathi and Udit Rathi, countered the submissions of the prosecutor contending that no criminality could be attributed to his clients simply because they were the Managing Director or Chief Executive Officer of RSPL.
"No knowledge can be attributed to Pradeep Rathi about any alleged misrepresentation by him before the screening committee. There is no criminality and no evidence, either documentary or statements of witnesses, which have been put by CBI to show that he has any knowledge or intention," he said.
Regarding Udit Rathi, the senior counsel said the court would have to see whether there was any intention on his part to mislead any authority.
The advocate for accused Kushal Aggarwal said his client was only a mid-level employee of RSPL and no criminality can be attributed to him.
The arguments remained inconclusive and would continue on April 17, the next date of hearing.
