The CBI chargesheet names Naveen Jindal (in the picture) among conspirators for allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to the Jindal group companies.
Ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, Former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao, ex-Coal Secretary H C Gupta and Industrialist and former parliamentarian Naveen Jindal had conspired to get a coal block allocated in favour of two Jindal group firms, the CBI today told a special court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation said that entire system in Jharkhand government was "manipulated" to allocate the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd (GSIPL).
"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.
CBI has chargesheeted them along with 11 others in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.
Advancing arguments on framing of charges in the 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, Mr Gupta had recommended these two firms for the allocation.
Meanwhile, advocates appearing for Mr Jindal and Mr Rao vehemently opposed CBI's contention and said there was no evidence warranting the framing of charges against their clients.
Mr 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.
Mr Rao's counsel also argued that the final approval for allocation of coal block to Jindal group firms was with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the coal portfolio. and that Mr Rao had no power as far as coal allocation was concerned.
Similarly, senior advocate S V Raju, appearing for Mr Jindal, said the CBI has not been able to show the links and nature of the alleged criminal conspiracy and that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations levelled by the CBI.
The arguments on framing of charges in the case would continue tomorrow.