A Delhi court on Friday framed charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the former Coal Secretary, H.C. Gupta, in a case of allotment of a coal block in West Bengal to Vikas Metals and Power Limited in an illegal manner. The court also framed charges against two other public servants, the company and its officials.
“Prima facie offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust by public servants under the IPC and various Sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act are made out against the accused,” Special Judge Bharat Parashar said.
The CBI had earlier sought to close the case but the court rejected it and asked it to further investigate.
Other accused
The other accused against whom the court framed charges are former Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal K.S. Kropha, the then Director (CA-I), K.C. Samria, Managing Director of the company Vikash Patni, and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick. The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after which the court posted the matter to Sept. 9.
“Keeping in view the overall facts and circumstances of the case coupled with the submissions made, I am of the considered opinion that prima facie charge for the offences under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and for the offences under Sections 120-B, 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating) of the IPC and under Sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the Prevention of Corruption Act is made out against all the accused ... ,’’ the judge said.
