Coal Scam

Delhi court sentences Abhijeet Infrastructure's officials in coal scam

A special CBI court on Wednesday awarded separate jail terms to the senior officials of Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd in an alleged case of irregularities related to the allocation of three coal blocks in Jharkhand. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj handed out a four-year jail term to the company's then managing director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal and a three-year imprisonment to then director Ramesh Kumar Jayaswal. A fine of Rs 30 lakh was imposed on the Nagpur-based company in the case related to irregularities in the allocation of Brinda, Sisai, and Meral coal blocks in the state. The court on December 9 held that forged documents were used by the convicts to secure the recommendation of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, for the allocation of the coal blocks. The judge on Wednesday passed the order on sentence for the offence of cheating, criminal conspiracy and using forged documents as genuine. "Manoj Kumar Jayaswal is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for four years for

Coal scam: Special CBI court acquits former coal secretary, 5 others

he judge held the CBI had failed to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that any "misrepresentation" was made by the accused

Coal Scam: Special CBI court convicts Abhijeet Infra Pvt Ltd, two others

A special CBI court on Monday convicted Managing Director of Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd Manoj Kumar Jayaswal and its former director Ramesh Kumar Jayaswal in a coal scam case related to the allocation of Brinda, Sisai, and Meral coal blocks in Jharkhand. In its case registered in 2016, the CBI had alleged that the company obtained the coal blocks by misrepresenting its financial position, acquisition of land for its proposed end-use plant, and other related claims, a statement from the agency said. Forged documents were used to secure the recommendation of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, for the allocation of the coal blocks, the CBI said. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj convicted Nagpur-based Abhijeet Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (AIPL), its Managing Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal and former director Ramesh Kumar Jayaswal of cheating, criminal conspiracy and using forged documents as genuine. Their sentence will be pronounced later. The four-year-long investigation showed that .

Coal scam: Delhi court awards jail terms to 4 accused persons, imposes fine

A Delhi court on Monday awarded jail terms to four persons accused in a case related to the alleged scam in allocation of two coal blocks in Jharkhand. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj awarded a three-year jail term to Rungta Project Ltd's former managing director R S Rungta, Sanjay Rungta and T M Achyutan, and a two-year jail term to Shambhu Nath. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the company and R S Rungta each, while Sanjay Rungta and Achuthan were directed to pay a fine of Rs 40 lakh each. The judge further directed Nath to pay a fine of Rs 20 lakh. The case relates to the allocation of Hutar Sector C and Hurilong coal blocks situated in Jharkhand during the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. The CBI alleged that false information in respect of capacity, land and the likes was given to the Ministry of Coal. The probe agency was represented by advocates Narender Pratap Srivastava, Sanjay Kumar, A P Singh, and Tarannum Cheema.

Coal scam: Court convicts Maha-based co, directors for criminal conspiracy

A Delhi court on Monday convicted a Maharashtra-based company and two of its directors for cheating and criminal conspiracy in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in the state. This was the 16th case related to the alleged coal scam in which the court pronounced its judgment. Special Judge Sanjay Bansal held the accused -- B S Ispat Ltd, Mohan Agrawal and Rakesh Agrawal -- guilty under sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, noting that the prosecution had proved the case beyond any reasonable doubt. The case pertains to irregularities in the allocation of Marki Mangli-I' coal block situated in Maharashtra in favour of the company. The court is likely to hear the arguments on the sentence tomorrow. The convicts face a maximum punishment of a seven-year jail term, while the court is likely to impose a fine on the company. All the three accused persons i.e. the company, B S Ispat Ltd., Mohan Agrawal, along with Rakesh Agraw

Coal scam: CBI names Monnet Ispat and Energy, CMD Jajodia in charge sheet

The CBI has filed its charge sheet in an ongoing coal scam case probe against Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd, its chairman cum managing director Sandeep Jajodia and senior vice president Amitabh Mudgal for alleged irregularities in allocation and running of Gare Palma and Rajgamar Dipside coal blocks in Chhattisgarh, officials said Friday. After over six years of investigation, the CBI has invoked IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust against the company, Jajodia and Mudgal. Submitting its findings before a special court in its charge sheet last week, the CBI said it has kept the probe open to investigate larger conspiracy in the case and the role of government officials, they said. Queries sent to the company seeking reaction remained unanswered. This is one of the alleged coal scam cases arising out of irregular allocation of coal blocks during 1993-2005. The CBI had registered a preliminary enquiry on September 26, 2012 to look into the ...

Coal levy scam: SC dismisses bail plea of ex-Chhattisgarh CM's deputy secy

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's deputy secretary Saumya Chaurasia, who is an accused in an alleged coal levy scam money laundering case. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma also imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on her for misrepresenting facts by making incorrect statements "It cannot be gainsaid that parties approaching court seeking justice are expected to make full and correct disclosure of all material facts and every advocate being an officer of court though appearing for a party is expected to assist the court fairly," the bench said. "On merits also we have not found anything. Since incorrect facts were stated, we have dismissed the appeal with costs of one lakh," the bench said. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by Chaurasia against an order of the Chhattisgarh High Court which rejected her bail plea. The federal probe agency had last year alleged that a "grand conspira

'Stop me if you can': TMC's Abhishek Banerjee challenges ED summons

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Friday said that the fight against the deprivation of West Bengal and its rightful dues shall persist regardless of the obstacles

Chhattisgarh:court issues notice to 2 Cong MLAs, 7 others in coal levy scam

A special court in Chhattisgarh's Raipur has issued notices to two Congress MLAs and seven others accused in a money laundering case related to an alleged coal levy scam. The court has asked the alleged accused to appear before it on October 25. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed the second supplementary chargesheet in the case in the court of 4th Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput last month naming 11 persons, including Congress legislators Devendra Singh Yadav and Chandradev Prasad Rai and IAS officer Ranu Sahu, as accused, special public prosecutor Saurabh Kumar Pande said. The special court on Saturday registered the second supplementary chargesheet and issued notices to nine of the 11 accused, as Sahu and one Nikhil Chandrakar were already arrested in the case, he said. Besides legislators Yadav and Rai, Congress leaders RP Singh and Vinod Tiwari are also among the nine accused. As sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Coal scam: Delhi court allows Cong leader Naveen Jindal to travel abroad

A Delhi court has allowed Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, accused in three cases related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks, to travel to Oman and UAE from September 11 to 13. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj allowed Jindal's application noting he had travelled abroad several times in the past and returned to India to face the trial within the stipulated period. "In the considered opinion of this court, the applicant/accused is entitled to permission of the court to travel abroad to Oman and UAE from September 11 to 13," the judge said. The judge directed Jindal to furnish a fixed deposit of Rs 1 crore and not to tamper with any evidence or try to influence any witness in any manner. Jindal had moved the application seeking court's permission to go to the two countries in connection with his business interests. One of the cases Jindal is an accused in pertains to irregularities in the allocation of the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkha

Coal scam: Delhi court awards 3-yr jail term to ex-steel ministry official

A Delhi court on Tuesday awarded three-year jail term to a former official of the Ministry of Steel in a coal scam case related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. In the 14th sentence in the coal scam, Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj also imposed a fine of Rs five lakh on convict Gautam Kumar Basak, former executive secretary, JPC (Joint Plant Committee), Ministry of Steel, holding him guilty of corruption in the allocation of Vijay Central Coal Block. According to the prosecution, an allegation was made against Prakash Industries Ltd., which had applied for the coal block in January 2007, that it had furnished false information about its capacity. The ministry had directed Basak to ascertain the truth of the allegation. The steel ministry official, according to the prosecution, submitted a false report in 2008 supporting the claims made by the company. The company and its director were earlier discharged by Delhi High Court in the case. The C

Coal scam: CBI seeks maximum punishment for ex-steel ministry official

The CBI has sought before a Delhi court seven-year jail term for a former official of the Ministry of Steel, who has been convicted in a case related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. The central probe agency on Saturday urged Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj to hand over maximum punishment of seven years to Gautam Kumar Basak, former executive secretary, JPC (Joint Plant Committee), Ministry of Steel. The CBI told the court that the convict did not deserve any leniency, claiming he had committed a very serious offence. The judge will pronounce the sentence in the matter on August 22. In the 14th conviction in the coal scam, the judge on August 18 held Basak guilty of corruption in the allocation of Vijay Central Coal Block. According to the prosecution, an allegation was made against Prakash Industries Ltd., which had applied for the coal block in January 2007, that it had furnished false information about its capacity. The ministry had dire

HC grants bail to ex-MP Vijay Darda, his son Jayaswal in coal scam case

The Delhi High Court on Friday gave interim bail to former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, who were sentenced to four years in jail in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma issued notice and sought the Central Bureau of Investigation's response on appeals filed by the three men challenging their conviction and sentence in the case. The high court also asked the CBI to file its response to the convicts pleas seeking suspension of their four-year jail term. The Dardas and Jayaswal, who were on bail during the trial, were taken into custody on July 26, immediately after the trial court passed the sentencing order. The CBI counsel opposed the plea for suspension of the sentence and said they will file a detailed reply. The high court has listed the matter for further hearing on September 26.

Coal scam: Delhi court convicts former MP Vijay Darda, ex-coal secy Gupta

A Delhi court on Thursday convicted seven accused, including former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda and ex-coal secretary H C Gupta in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. In the 13th conviction in the coal scam, the scandal which rocked the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government, Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also convicted Darda's son Devender Darda, two senior public servants K S Kropha and K C Samria, M/s JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd and its Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal. The court held the accused guilty of criminal conspiracy (punishable under Section 120-B of IPC) and cheating (punishable under section 420 of IPC), and under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The judge will hear argument on quantum of punishment on July 18. The court accepted the submissions made by senior Public Prosecutor A P Singh that the CBI was able to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts. It had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept the

Coal scam: Delhi court convicts former MP Vijay Darda, ex-Coal Secy Gupta

Former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda and ex-Coal Secretary H C Gupta were among seven people convicted by a Delhi court on Thursday in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh. In the 13th conviction in the coal scam, Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also convicted Darda's son Devender Darda, two senior public servants K S Kropha and K C Samria, M/s JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd and its Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal. The court held the accused guilty of criminal conspiracy (punishable under 120-B of IPC) and cheating (punishable under section 420 of IPC), and under relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act. The judge will hear argument on quantum of punishment on July 18. The court accepted the submissions made by senior Public Prosecutor A P Singh, that the CBI was able to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts. It had on November 20, 2014, refused to accept the CBI's closure report in the case and directed it to conduct further probe

Chhattisgarh coal scam: 'Rs 540 cr proceeds of crime used for politicals'

ED said a special PMLA court has taken cognizance of two prosecution complaints filed by them in connection with a case pertaining to illegal levy on movement of coal and iron pellets

Coal Scam matter: CBI grilling West Bengal Inspector from several persons

The Central Bureau (CBI) on Tuesday grilled a West Bengal Police Inspector for allegedly receiving protection money from several persons, including the main accused, in the coal scam case

ED files prosecution complaint in alleged coal levy scam in Chhattisgarh

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a prosecution complaint before a special court in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur in a money laundering case linked to the alleged coal levy scam, in which an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and three others have been named as accused. The 'prosecution complaint' along with relied upon documents, running into 8000 pages, was filed in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Ajay Singh Rajput under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), said ED's counsel Saurabh Pandey. IAS officer Sameer Vishnoi, coal trader Suryakant Tiwari, the latter's uncle Laxmikant Tiwari and businessman Sunil Agrawal have been named as accused, he added. The ED's prosecution complaint mentioned that an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne was being extorted for coal transported in the state by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen, he said. Besides, lands purchased through benami ..

Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak skips ED summons in coal smuggling case

West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak skipped appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a case of alleged coal pilferage from Eastern Coalfields Ltd mines in Asansol

CBI raids Bengal minister Moloy Ghatak's residences in coal smuggling scam

The CBI on Wednesday morning raided several residences of West Bengal minister Moloy Ghatak in connection with its probe into a coal smuggling scam, an officer said. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths conducted raids at three houses of Ghatak in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district and one in Lake Gardens area of Kolkata. The agency, aided by a huge contingent of central paramilitary personnel, conducted searches in these properties in connection with the scam. Women officers were also part of the team. "As his name surfaced in the coal smuggling scam, we need to find out what was his role in it. We have evidence of Ghatak's involvement in the scam," the CBI officer told PTI. Ghatak was not present in any of his residences when the raids took place. The CBI sleuths took away mobile phones from the state law minister's family members and made them sit in one room in his Asansol houses, he said. The entire areas around Ghatak's residences were surrounded by central forc