Delhi: Delhi court is set to announce the quantum of punishment on July 26 in the Chhattisgarh coal block scam case. The case involves several individuals, including Rajendra Kumar Gupta, Vijay Darda, Devender Darda, K.S. Kropha, K.C. Samria, JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, and Manoj Kumar Jayaswal.
On July 13, the court convicted the aforementioned individuals and entities under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Special Judge Sanjay Bansal, who presided over the case, reserved the order after hearing arguments.
During the hearing on the quantum of punishment, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought maximum punishment. The CBI claimed that Darda and his son met with the then CBI Director Ranjit Sinha at his residence to hinder the investigation. They also alleged that Jayaswal, a director of JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, threatened a witness in an attempt to influence his testimony.
The case initially saw the rejection of a closure report submitted by the CBI in 2014. The court ordered a fresh investigation, citing the alleged misrepresentation of facts by former MP Darda in letters addressed to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also held the Coal portfolio.