Coal scam: court allows RSPL's CEO to travel to Iran

Rathi Steel and Power Limited's (RSPL) Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi, an accused in a coal blocks allocation scam case, was today allowed to go to Iran for business purpose for a week by a special court.
Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar granted permission to Rathi and directed him neither to tamper with the evidence nor try to influence any witness in any manner.
The court allowed Rathi to travel to Iran from May 6 till May 13 in connection with his business activities after CBI submitted it has not objection if the proceedings in the case are not hampered.

CBI prosecutor V K Sharma said the agency has no objection if permission is granted to Rathi to travel abroad for a limited purpose subject to reasonable restrictions.
"Keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances of the case coupled with submissions made, accused No. 3, i.E. Udit Rathi is granted permission to travel to Islamic Republic of Iran from May 6 to May 13 with several conditions," the court said.
In the plea, Rathi had said that proceedings in the case would not be hampered in his absence as his counsel will remain present in the court.

The judge directed Rathi to inform the court and CBI's investigating officer when he returns to India.

The court also directed him to furnish complete itinerary of his journey including contact details.
The case has already fixed for May 7 for pronouncement of order on framing charges in the case.
Delhi-based RSPL and its three top officials - Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, CEO Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal - were earlier summoned as accused in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Kesla North coal block in Chhattisgarh to the firm for alleged offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of IPC.