Coal block allocation scam: Madhu Koda, others to be charged

New Delhi: A court here on Tuesday ordered that former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and others be charged with criminal conspiracy and cheating in a coal block allocation case.

The court found prima facie evidence against Koda and others in the case allegedly involving Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).

Special Judge Bharat Parashar ordered the framing of charges dealing with criminal conspiracy, cheating and various provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act against former coal secretary H.C. Gupta, Koda, Jharkhand's then chief secretary A.K. Basu and others.

The charges will be formally framed on July 30, the court said.

The court was hearing the case related to Jharkhand's Rajhara North coal block allocation to VISUL.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged Gupta, Koda and others conspired to favour VISUL in allocating the coal block.

The others accused in the case include VISUL director Vaibhav Tulsyan, chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan, government officials Basant Kumar Bhatacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh and alleged middleman Vijay Joshi.

They have been charge-sheeted for cheating and criminal conspiracy and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

(IANS)