Former government bus driver Minar Mondal was arrested after the seizure of ₹28.5 crore from his residence. He is a relative of Tulu Mondal, who is an alleged close associate of TMC leader Anubrata Mondal.  On the other hand, ED conducted raids on premises linked to an illegal coal mining network

₹28.5 Crore in Cash & Gold Bars Seized from Ex-Government Bus Driver's Home in West Bengal

A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender Darda, and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal to four years in jail in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, saying the convicts obtained the block by cheating the government of India.

All three convicts were taken into custody immediately after the court order.

Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also awarded three-year jail terms to ex-coal secretary H C Gupta and two former senior public servants K S Kropha and K C Samria in the case.

The three convicts were, however, granted bail by the court to enable them to challenge their conviction and punishment before the high court.

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The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the company, JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, which was convicted in the case.

The court imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh each on the Dardas and Jayaswal. The other three convicts were directed to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each.

The present case relates to allocation of a coal block. The convicts had obtained the said block by committing cheating with the Govt. Of India. Prosecution is justified in saying that the loss to the nation was huge,? the judge said.

In the 13th conviction in the coal scam, the massive scandal which rocked the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government, the court had on July 13 held the seven accused guilty under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC, and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/smartphones-should-be-banned-from-classrooms-says-un-619541">Smartphones should be banned from classrooms, says UN report</a>

During the argument on the quantum of sentence, the CBI had sought the maximum punishment of seven years for the convicts, claiming that Darda and his son had met the then CBI director Ranjit Sinha at his residence to scuttle the investigation.

The Supreme Court had constituted an SIT to investigate the allegations against Sinha of trying to influence the probe in the coal scam cases. Sinha, a 1974 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, died from Covid-related complications in 2021.

CBI's senior public prosecutor A P Singh had claimed a witness in the case stated he was threatened by Jayaswal, who tried to influence him to not depose against him.

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The court had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept a closure report submitted by the CBI in the case and directed the federal probe agency to investigate it afresh, stating that the former MP had "misrepresented" facts in letters written to the then prime minister, Manmohan Singh, who held the coal portfolio.

The court said Vijay Darda, the chairperson of the Lokmat Group, had done so to secure the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd.

The Lokmat Group is a multi platform media company based in Maharashtra.

The court said the offence of cheating was committed by private parties in furtherance of a conspiracy hatched between them and public servants.

JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd was allotted Fatehpur (East) coal block by the 35th Screening Committee.

The CBI had alleged in its FIR that JLD Yavatmal had wrongfully concealed previous allocation of four coal blocks to its group companies in 1999-2005, but the agency later filed a closure report, saying no undue benefit was extended to JLD Yavatmal by the coal ministry in allocation of coal blocks.

The scandal had rocket the Manmohan Singh government in 2012 after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) panned the government for inefficient allocation of 194 coal blocks to public sector enterprises and private companies between 2004 and 2009 for captive use in a non-transparent way.

The CAG said instead of allocating the valuable natural resource, the government should have gone for competitive bidding.

Many politicians were claimed to have lobbied for private entities and helped them secure these blocks. Several entities got more blocks for mining than they needed and sold the excess coal in the open market resulting in huge windfall.

The CAG initially estimated a massive loss of Rs 10.6 lakh crore to the exchequer, but its final report tabled in Parliament put the figure at 1.86 lakh crore.

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A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender Darda, and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal to four years in jail in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, saying the convicts obtained the block by cheating the government of India.

A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender Darda, and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal to four years in jail in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, saying the convicts obtained the block by cheating the government of India. All three convicts were taken into custody immediately after the court order. Special Judge Sanjay Bansal also awarded three-year jail terms to ex-coal secretary H C Gupta and two former senior public servants K S Kropha and K C Samria in the case. The three convicts were, however, granted bail by the court to enable them to challenge their conviction and punishment before the high court. Also Read | IMF urges India to remove restrictions on rice exports over global inflation concerns The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the company, JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, which was convicted in the case. The court imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh each on the Dardas and Jayaswal. The other three convicts were directed to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each. The present case relates to allocation of a coal block. The convicts had obtained the said block by committing cheating with the Govt. Of India. Prosecution is justified in saying that the loss to the nation was huge,? the judge said. In the 13th conviction in the coal scam, the massive scandal which rocked the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government, the court had on July 13 held the seven accused guilty under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC, and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Also Read | Smartphones should be banned from classrooms, says UN report During the argument on the quantum of sentence, the CBI had sought the maximum punishment of seven years for the convicts, claiming that Darda and his son had met the then CBI director Ranjit Sinha at his residence to scuttle the investigation. The Supreme Court had constituted an SIT to investigate the allegations against Sinha of trying to influence the probe in the coal scam cases. Sinha, a 1974 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, died from Covid-related complications in 2021. CBI's senior public prosecutor A P Singh had claimed a witness in the case stated he was threatened by Jayaswal, who tried to influence him to not depose against him. Watch | Doksuri super typhoon to hit Chinese mainland this week | WION Climate Tracker × The court had on November 20, 2014 refused to accept a closure report submitted by the CBI in the case and directed the federal probe agency to investigate it afresh, stating that the former MP had "misrepresented" facts in letters written to the then prime minister, Manmohan Singh, who held the coal portfolio. The court said Vijay Darda, the chairperson of the Lokmat Group, had done so to secure the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd. The Lokmat Group is a multi platform media company based in Maharashtra. The court said the offence of cheating was committed by private parties in furtherance of a conspiracy hatched between them and public servants. JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd was allotted Fatehpur (East) coal block by the 35th Screening Committee. The CBI had alleged in its FIR that JLD Yavatmal had wrongfully concealed previous allocation of four coal blocks to its group companies in 1999-2005, but the agency later filed a closure report, saying no undue benefit was extended to JLD Yavatmal by the coal ministry in allocation of coal blocks. The scandal had rocket the Manmohan Singh government in 2012 after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) panned the government for inefficient allocation of 194 coal blocks to public sector enterprises and private companies between 2004 and 2009 for captive use in a non-transparent way. The CAG said instead of allocating the valuable natural resource, the government should have gone for competitive bidding. Many politicians were claimed to have lobbied for private entities and helped them secure these blocks. Several entities got more blocks for mining than they needed and sold the excess coal in the open market resulting in huge windfall. The CAG initially estimated a massive loss of Rs 10.6 lakh crore to the exchequer, but its final report tabled in Parliament put the figure at 1.86 lakh crore. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Coal scam: Delhi court awards 4-year jail to ex-MP Vijay Darda, son for cheating

Delhi High Court <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/coal-scam-madhu-koda-gets-3-year-imprisonment-26890">today stayed the 3-year jail</a> term to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the coal scam case.

The court also stayed the 25 lakh fine imposed on the former chief minister of Jharkhand, till the next date of hearing.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in 2012 had said the government had allocated coal blocks in 2004-09 in an &quot;inefficient manner&quot; leading to a CBI probe. In its report to Parliament, the CAG had said due to the allocation several companies had made&nbsp;&quot;windfall gain&quot; to the tune of $29 billion.

The CBI had named several companies in its FIR. Madu Koda was arrested in November 2009 when the scam first surfaced but was released four years later.

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) had lodged disproportionate assets case against the former chief minister including his associates.

In December last year, the lower court had convicted Koda and awarded a three-year jail term including a fine of Rs 25 lakh.

Delhi High Court today stayed the 3-year jail term to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the coal scam case

Delhi High Court today stayed the 3-year jail term to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda in the coal scam case. The court also stayed the 25 lakh fine imposed on the former chief minister of Jharkhand, till the next date of hearing. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in 2012 had said the government had allocated coal blocks in 2004-09 in an "inefficient manner" leading to a CBI probe. In its report to Parliament, the CAG had said due to the allocation several companies had made "windfall gain" to the tune of $29 billion. The CBI had named several companies in its FIR. Madu Koda was arrested in November 2009 when the scam first surfaced but was released four years later. The Enforcement Directorate(ED) had lodged disproportionate assets case against the former chief minister including his associates. In December last year, the lower court had convicted Koda and awarded a three-year jail term including a fine of Rs 25 lakh.

High Court stays jail term for ex-Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda in coal scam case

A special CBI court in Delhi has sentenced former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his former coal secretary H C Gupta to 3-year imprisonment.

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Jharkhand coal scam: Two months statutory interim bail granted to Madhu Koda and three others to appeal in the High Court
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/941907863852560384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Koda has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 25 lakh while a Gupta has been fined Rs.1 lakh; three others to appeal in the high court reports ANI.&nbsp;

Former Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu and Vijay Joshi, a close aide of the then chief minister, were also awarded jail term of three years for indulging in corrupt practices and hatching criminal conspiracy in allocation of Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to a Kolkata-based private company, Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

Special judge Bharat Parashar convicted the private firm and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

The convicts including Koda, however, were granted statutory bail for a period of two months to enable them to file appeals in the Delhi High Court challenging the conviction and the jail term.

The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

The CBI had previously alleged that the VISUL had applied for allocation of the coal block in January 2007.

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I was hopeful that I will get relief but the decision was against me. This is disheartening. This was Court&#39;s verdict so I won&#39;t comment on it but I have the option to appeal against it in the High Court: Madhu Koda after being granted 2 months statutory interim bail <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoalScam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoalScam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ga28yqtbLC">pic.twitter.com/Ga28yqtbLC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/941935391879208960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Koda&nbsp;and three other accused public servants were stated by the CBI to have favoured&nbsp;VISUL in the coal block allocation.

(With inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

Mr Koda has also been fined a sum of Rs 25 lakh, reports ANI

A special CBI court in Delhi has sentenced former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his former coal secretary H C Gupta to 3-year imprisonment. Jharkhand coal scam: Two months statutory interim bail granted to Madhu Koda and three others to appeal in the High Court — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017 × Koda has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 25 lakh while a Gupta has been fined Rs.1 lakh; three others to appeal in the high court reports ANI. Former Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu and Vijay Joshi, a close aide of the then chief minister, were also awarded jail term of three years for indulging in corrupt practices and hatching criminal conspiracy in allocation of Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to a Kolkata-based private company, Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). Special judge Bharat Parashar convicted the private firm and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh. The convicts including Koda, however, were granted statutory bail for a period of two months to enable them to file appeals in the Delhi High Court challenging the conviction and the jail term. The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). The CBI had previously alleged that the VISUL had applied for allocation of the coal block in January 2007. I was hopeful that I will get relief but the decision was against me. This is disheartening. This was Court's verdict so I won't comment on it but I have the option to appeal against it in the High Court: Madhu Koda after being granted 2 months statutory interim bail #CoalScam pic.twitter.com/Ga28yqtbLC — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017 × Koda and three other accused public servants were stated by the CBI to have favoured VISUL in the coal block allocation. (With inputs from PTI)

Coal Scam: Madhu Koda gets 3-year imprisonment, 2 months interim bail granted

Delhi&#39;s Special CBI court has convicted former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, former coal secretary HC Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary Ashok Kumar Basu and one other as guilty of criminal conspiracy in teh coal scam case.

The sentencing will take place on Thursday.

The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

The CBI had alleged that the VISUL had applied for allocation of coal block in January 2007.

As per reports, it is said the 36th Screening Committee recommended the block to the VISUL&#39;s, not the Jharkhand Government and the Steel Ministry.

Gupta is said to have cleared at least 40 cases of coal mining rights and is said to have played a major role in the said scam.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has claimed that Koda, Basu and two accused public servants conspired to favour VISUL in the coal block allocation.

The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd.

Delhi's Special CBI court has convicted former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, former coal secretary HC Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary Ashok Kumar Basu and one other as guilty of criminal conspiracy in teh coal scam case. The sentencing will take place on Thursday. The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based firm Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). The CBI had alleged that the VISUL had applied for allocation of coal block in January 2007. As per reports, it is said the 36th Screening Committee recommended the block to the VISUL's, not the Jharkhand Government and the Steel Ministry. Gupta is said to have cleared at least 40 cases of coal mining rights and is said to have played a major role in the said scam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has claimed that Koda, Basu and two accused public servants conspired to favour VISUL in the coal block allocation.

Coal scam case: CBI convicts Madhu Koda, former coal secretary HC Gupta

Industrialist Naveen Jindal and others were today summoned by a special court here as accused in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh after it took cognisance of a CBI charge sheet. 
 
Besides Jindal, the others summoned as accused are the company, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), its former Director Sushil Maroo, former Deputy MD Anand Goyal and CEO Vikrant Gujral for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh. 
 
All the accused have to appear before Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar on September 4. 
 
In its charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that JSPL misrepresented the equipment purchase orders and misled the Coal Ministry. 
 
Jindal is also facing trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.

(PTI)

A special court has called the industrialist in connection with allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh

Industrialist Naveen Jindal and others were today summoned by a special court here as accused in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh after it took cognisance of a CBI charge sheet. Besides Jindal, the others summoned as accused are the company, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), its former Director Sushil Maroo, former Deputy MD Anand Goyal and CEO Vikrant Gujral for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh. All the accused have to appear before Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar on September 4. In its charge sheet, the CBI has alleged that JSPL misrepresented the equipment purchase orders and misled the Coal Ministry. Jindal is also facing trial in a case pertaining to the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand. (PTI)

Congress' Naveen Jindal summoned over coal scam probe

A special court today sentenced former coal secretary&nbsp;HC Gupta, including senior government officials K S Kropha and K C Samaria to a two-year jail term in the coal scam case.&nbsp;

Besides the jail term, the court also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh each on the three convicted men. The special court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on a private firm Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd, while its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia was awarded a three-year jail term by the court. The court also ordered Ahluwalia to pay a fine of Rs 30 lakh.

HC Gupta Gupta and two serving senior officials - &nbsp;K S Kropha and K C Samaria were earlier convicted by the court for irregularities in the allocation of the Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to a private firm.

The coal scam erupted after the CAG(Comptroller and Auditor General of India) found irregulariets in allocation of coal bocks by the Congress government in the period between 2004-2009. The BJP lodged a complaint with the CBI leading to probe which resulted in agency naming several firms linked to the coal scam leading to arrests and the Indian Parliament being stalled by the then opposition BJP.

The Paliamentry standing committee in a report said coal and steel allocation between 1993 to 2008 were done in an unortharised manner. After the BJP government came to power in 2014, the coal block was put under a transparent e-auction with the government earning 80,000 crore with the sale of 11 coal blocks.

(WION with PTI inputs)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A special court has sentenced former coal secretary?HC Gupta, including senior government officials K S Kropha and K C Samaria to a two-year jail term

A special court today sentenced former coal secretary HC Gupta, including senior government officials K S Kropha and K C Samaria to a two-year jail term in the coal scam case. Besides the jail term, the court also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh each on the three convicted men. The special court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on a private firm Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd, while its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia was awarded a three-year jail term by the court. The court also ordered Ahluwalia to pay a fine of Rs 30 lakh. HC Gupta Gupta and two serving senior officials - K S Kropha and K C Samaria were earlier convicted by the court for irregularities in the allocation of the Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to a private firm. The coal scam erupted after the CAG(Comptroller and Auditor General of India) found irregulariets in allocation of coal bocks by the Congress government in the period between 2004-2009. The BJP lodged a complaint with the CBI leading to probe which resulted in agency naming several firms linked to the coal scam leading to arrests and the Indian Parliament being stalled by the then opposition BJP. The Paliamentry standing committee in a report said coal and steel allocation between 1993 to 2008 were done in an unortharised manner. After the BJP government came to power in 2014, the coal block was put under a transparent e-auction with the government earning 80,000 crore with the sale of 11 coal blocks. (WION with PTI inputs)

Special court convicts former coal secretary, two others in coal scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has filed a corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe.

The CBI has filed a First Information Report(FIR) against the ex-director.

The action against Ranjit Sinha came after the Supreme Court directed the agency to constitute a special investigation team(SIT) to look into the allegations against Sinha.

The Supreme Court had tasked a former special director of the CBI with looking into the visitors&#39; diary at Sinha&#39;s official residence which allegedly showed that several accused of the coal block allocation scam case were regular visitors to his house.

Ranjit Sinha, a 1974-batch IPS officer, was the CBI director between 2012 to&nbsp;2014.

(WION with agency inputs)&nbsp;

The CBI has charged its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has filed a corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe. The CBI has filed a First Information Report(FIR) against the ex-director. The action against Ranjit Sinha came after the Supreme Court directed the agency to constitute a special investigation team(SIT) to look into the allegations against Sinha. The Supreme Court had tasked a former special director of the CBI with looking into the visitors' diary at Sinha's official residence which allegedly showed that several accused of the coal block allocation scam case were regular visitors to his house. Ranjit Sinha, a 1974-batch IPS officer, was the CBI director between 2012 to 2014. (WION with agency inputs)

CBI files corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha

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