Jindal, Rao, Koda conspired to get coal block: CBI to court

Industralist Naveen Jindal, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and ex-Coal Secretary H C Gupta had conspired with others to get a coal block allocated in favour of two Jindal group firms, CBI today told a special court.
CBI said that entire system in Jharkhand government was "manipulated" to favour Jindal group companies so that Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd (GSIPL) could be allocated Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block.
"Dasari Narayan Rao, Madhu Koda, Naveen Jindal, H C Gupta and all others conspired with the private persons and entered into a criminal conspiracy to get the coal block allocated in favour of Jindal Group firms," senior public prosecutor V K Sharma told Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar.

Jindal, Rao, Koda, Gupta and 11 others were chargesheeted by CBI in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to JSPL and GSIPL.
Advancing arguments on framing of charges in a coal scam case, the prosecutor said JSPL and GSIPL were allocated the coal block by abusing the power of public office and despite objections of some of the members of the screening committee, Gupta had recommended these two firms for the coal block.
Meanwhile, advocates appearing for Naveen Jindal and Rao, vehemently opposed CBI's contention and said there was no evidence warranting framing of charges against their clients.

Rao's counsel said that being the then Minister of State for Coal, he had no role to play with what happened in state of Jharkhand and he was not involved in any conspiracy as the recommendation was made by the screening committee with which he had nothing to do.

He also argued that the final approval for allocation of coal block to Jindal group firms was given then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was also the then Minister of Coal, and Rao had no power as far as coal allocation was concerned.
Similarly, senior advocate S V Raju, appearing for Naveen Jindal, said that CBI has not been able to show the links and nature of the alleged criminal conspiracy and there was no evidence which substantiates the allegations levelled by CBI.

The arguments on framing of charges in the case would continue tomorrow.