Coalscam: Jindal seeks exemption from personal appearance

Former MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal, chargesheeted by CBI in a coal scam case, has moved a special court seeking exemption from personal appearance till further orders saying heavy financial hardship and grave prejudice would be caused if relief was not granted.
In a plea filed before Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, Jindal said his personal appearance on each and every date of hearing may not be required and his advocates would remain present in the court during the proceedings.
"Grave prejudice, irreparable loss and heavy financial hardship would be caused to the applicant (Jindal) if the relief prayed for herein is not granted to him. In fact, in the past, applicant has even complained that some unscrupulous elements have tried to create a ruckus each time the applicant has come to attend hearing," his plea said.

The court today decided to hear the matter on September 21.
In his plea, Jindal has said no prejudice would be caused to CBI if the application was allowed as there was no possibility of his fleeing from justice.
He said due to his business and other commitments in India and abroad, he was required to frequently travel to meet people for business or in the field of education or for social work in his constituency in Haryana.

"Pass an order exempting the applicant from his personal appearance till further orders and his presence be accepted through his counsel," the plea said.

Jindal and 14 others were chargesheeted by CBI in a case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to two Jindal group firms, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd (GSIPL).
All the accused are currently out on bail. The court is slated to hear arguments on framing of charges from October 5.
Jindal, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, former Coal Secretary H C Gupta and 11 others, including five firms, are accused in the case.
While summoning them as accused, the court had said prima facie offences under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with sections 409(criminal breach of trust by public servant), 420 (cheating) of IPC read with sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act were made out against them.