Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and seven others will face trial in the coal blocks allocation scam as they pleaded not guilty to the charges framed against them by a Special Court for CBI cases here on Friday.
The other accused sent up on trial in by Special Judge Bharat Parashar are former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta; former Jharkhand Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Basu, government employees Basant Kumar Bhattacharya and Bipin Bihari Singh; Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Limited (VISUL) promoter Vaibhav Tulsiyan; Koda’s alleged close aide Vijay Joshi and chartered accountant Navin Kumar Tulsyan.
“In terms of order dated 14.07.2015, charge for the offences under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and u/s 120-B read with Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) 420 (cheating) IPC and 13 (1) (c)/13 (1) (d) Prevention of Corruption Act has been framed separately against all the accused i.e. M/s VISUL, H.C. Gupta, Basant Kumar Bhattacharya, Bipin Bihari Singh, Ashok Kumar Basu, Madhu Koda, Vijay Joshi, Vaibhav Tulsyan and Navin Kumar Tulsyan…” the Judge said in his short order. The company is represented by Vijay Joshi.
