Coal scam: Recording of evidence in RSPL's case from July 17

A special court today fixed July 17 for commencement of recording of evidence in a coal scam case in which Delhi-based Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) and its three officials were put on trial.
This is first case in coal blocks allocation scam in which recording of evidence will begin after the special court was set up following a Supreme Court order in July last year.
Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar directed the agency to file a list of witnesses who are to be summoned.
"Prosecution is directed to file list of witnesses who they wish to examine on the forthcoming dates so that necessary summons may be issued to the said witnesses and defence counsel may also prepare themselves accordingly," the court said.

"Senior public prosecutor submits that by July 1, he shall place on record list of all witnesses whom he wishes to examine on the forthcoming dates fixed for recording of prosecution evidence," the court said.
The matter was fixed for recording of evidence in the case after the accused completed the process of admission or denial of documents filed by the CBI.

The court had earlier framed charges against RSPL and its three top officials - Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal, for the alleged offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy.
The court had put the accused on trial saying they had conspired and furnished wrong information to get the blocks and "misappropriated" nationalised natural resources.

All the accused had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Kesla North coal block in Chhattisgarh to RSPL.
The three individual accused were earlier granted bail by the court after they had appeared before it pursuant to summons.
CBI had lodged an FIR against RSPL, its directors, Udit Rathi and members of the 36th screening committee and other unnamed persons for the offences under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) of IPC and under Prevention of Corruption Act.
A charge sheet was later filed against RSPL and Udit Rathi only. Regarding other directors of RSPL or members of the 36th screening committee, CBI had said allegations against them could not be substantiated during the probe.