CBI charge-sheets Jindal, 12 others in coal scam

New Delhi: The CBI on Wednesday filed a charge-sheet against Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, former Union minister Dasari Narayan Rao, Jharkhand former chief minister Madhu Koda and 12 others in a coal scam case.

The case pertains to irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Birbhum, Jharkhand, in 2008. The agency has accused them of cheating and misrepresenting facts in bagging this block.

Former coal secretary H C Gupta and five firms, including Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Jindal Realty Pvt Ltd, have also been named in the charge sheet.

They have been charged under 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Special CBI judge Bharat Parashar will take up the charge sheet for consideration on Thursday.

Rao was the minister of state for coal when Jindal's company bagged the



Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block. The CBI claimed that the misrepresentation was done on three counts – land, water supply and previous allocations.

JSPL had claimed in an application submitted in January 2007 that they had only three coal blocks with them whereas actually they had at least six blocks.

Within a year, a block was allocated to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, shares of Rao's firm Soubhagya Media listed at Rs 28 that time were purchased by one of Jindal's firm at Rs 100 per share with total investment of nearly Rs 2.25 crore. 

The agency claimed that it was illegal gratification for coal block allocation.

Responding to the charge sheet, JSPL said: “The said allocation was made to the company on merits. We deny all allegations made against our company and its management. We will be availing appropriate remedy in accordance with the law. We have full faith in our judiciary and are confident of coming out clean.”