CBI files investigation report in coal case against Naveen Jindal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday filed an investigation report in a coal block allocation case involving former Congress MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal, ex-Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao, ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and ex-Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta.

The investigation report was filed in a sealed cover in the court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Bharat Parashar, who listed the matter for September 14, the next date of hearing.

The investigation report was filed on the basis of the statement given by prosecution witness New Delhi Exim Pvt. Ltd. Director Suresh Singhal who has turned approver in the coal block allocation case.

In the last hearing held on August 24, the court had directed the CBI to expedite the investigation.

The court on July 11 allowed Singhal's plea for pardon and to turn a government approver in the case and deleted his name from the array of accused persons as he is now a prosecution witness.

The court, however, has clarified that Singhal will not leave India without its prior permission till further orders.

The court in April, 2016 found prima facie evidence against industrialist and senior Congress leader Naveen Jindal, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and others in a case related to the allocation of Jharkhand's Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to Jindal Steel and Gagan Sponge.

However, Jindal, Rao, Koda and others denied the charge.

The CBI in April 2015 filed a chargesheet against Jindal, Koda, Rao and former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta, apart from Singhal, Jindal Realty Director Rajeev Jain, Gagan Sponge Directors Girish Kumar Juneja and R.K. Saraf, Sowbhagya Media's Managing Director K. Ramakrishna and chartered accountant Gyan Swaroop Garg.

Five private companies -- four based in Delhi and one in Hyderabad -- were also named in the chargesheet.

They are Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd, Jindal Reality Pvt Ltd, New Delhi Exim Pvt Ltd and Sowbhagya Media Ltd.

--IANS

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