CBI files chargesheet against Naveen Jindal, 14 others in coal scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet against Congress leader and prominent industrialist Naveen Jindal, former minister of state for coal Dasari Narayan Rao, former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and former coal secretary HC Gupta and 12 others on Wednesday in connection with the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block allocation scam.

Besides these individuals, five companies, including Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) and Jindal Realty Private, have also been chargesheeted for alleged offences under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Meanwhile JSPL has denied all the allegations.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said that the charge sheet would be taken up for consideration on Thursday.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities during the United Progressive Alliance regime in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block, in Jharkhand's Birbhum district, in 2008 to Jindal Group companies JSPL and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Limited (GSIPL).

Six other individuals who figure as accused in the CBI charges sheet are Gyan Swaroop Garg, Suresh Singhal, Rajeev Jain, Girish Kumar Suneja, RK Saraf and K Ramakrishna Prasad.

Besides the 10 individuals, the firms charge-sheeted in the case are JSPL, Jindal Realty Private Limited, Gagan Infraenergy Limited, New Delhi Exim Private Limited and Soubhagya Media Limited.

According to sources, the agency has alleged in the charge sheet that Jindal Group firms had misrepresented facts to acquire the coal block in 2008.

In the FIR, the CBI had alleged that Jindal Group was shown favour by the Jharkhand government, which had dropped other firms from its recommendation for allocation of the coal block in the state in 2007.

The FIR was categorical that the power ministry was against the proposal for allocating the coal block to JSPL and GSIPL.

In a statement issued after the CBI filed the chargesheet against the company, JSPL in a statement to the BSE said , "We are shocked to know from the media about filing of a charge sheet by the CBI with respect to allocation of a coal block. The company claimed that the allocation was made to it on merit. During the course of the investigation, the company and its officials fully co-operated with the authorities, and whenever asked, explained and provided all the supporting documents. We deny all allegations made against our company and its management. We will be availing appropriate remedy in accordance with law. We have full faith in our judiciary and are confident to come out clean during the process."