Headlines
Coal secretary hid facts from Manmohan, CBI tells court
Coal secretary hid facts from Manmohan, CBI tells court
New Delhi, May 29 The then coal secretary, H.C. Gupta, concealed material facts related to allocation of a coal block in Jharkhand's Rajhara town from the then prime minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the coal portfolio, the CBI told a court here on Friday.
Advancing arguements on the issue of framing of charges, Senior Public Prosecutor V.K. Sharma told Special Judge Bharat Parashar that Gupta concealed facts related to Jharkhand's Rajhara North coal block allocation, involving Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd. (VISUL), Manmohan Singh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that Gupta, along with former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and others, conspired to favour VISUL in the allocation of the coal block.
Sharma told the court that the state government had recommended two other companies for Rajhara North coal mines but not VISUL.
This fact was not highlighted in the file noting sent by Gupta to Manmohan Singh, he added.
Even the steel ministry had not recommended the name of VISUL for the coal block, the senior public prosecutor apprised the court.
Initially, the state government had not recommended VISUL, but later former Jharkhand coal secretary A.K. Basu insisted on the firm's name at a meeting of the screening committee.
In his defence, Gupta maintained before the court that VISUL was eligible for allocation of the coal block. On Wednesday, Gupta said that the final decision on the block allocation was taken by the then coal minister Manmohan Singh.
The court posted the matter for June 30 for clarifications.
Others accused in the case include VISUL director Vaibhav Tulsyan, chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan, government officials Basant Kumar Bhatacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh, and alleged middleman Vijay Joshi.
They have been charge-sheeted for cheating and criminal conspiracy under Prevention of Corruption Act.
44 minutes ago
Russia condemns Israeli killing of Hezbollah leader
2 hours ago
Bihar flood situation critical amid heavy rain, says Shahnawaz Hussain
2 hours ago
Agniveers will be given a pensionable job: Amit Shah
2 hours ago
Israel bans gatherings of over 1,000 people in central region
2 hours ago
After Nasrallah, IDF confirms killing top Hezbollah commander Nabil Qaouk
2 hours ago
PDP's sympathies lie with terrorists, not nation: BJP slams party for halting poll campaign
2 hours ago
BJP's seat-sharing agreement for Jharkhand polls in final stage
2 hours ago
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 17 TN fishermen; families block Madurai-Rameswaram highway
2 hours ago
PM Modi praises Odisha youth for developing digital platform for Santhali language
2 hours ago
Won't die till PM Modi 'removed' from power, vows Kharge after illness amid J&K campaigning
2 hours ago
Prakash Karat to coordinate politburo functioning in CPI-M till next party congress
3 hours ago
NASA-SpaceX mission to bring back Sunita Williams on way to ISS
3 hours ago
Gaming market for PCs, monitors to reach 69.3 million this year