THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, June 6: In a key development in the long-running coal allocation case, a special Delhi court on Friday convicted M/s Jas Infrastructure Capital Pvt Ltd (JICPL) and its director, Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, for cheating and criminal conspiracy in connection with the allocation of the Mahuagarhi coal block in Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, three former senior officials of the Coal Ministry — ex-Secretary H C Gupta, ex-Joint Secretary K S Kropha, and former Coal Allocation Director K C Samaria — were acquitted of all charges.
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Special CBI Judge Sanjay Bansal pronounced the verdict, holding JICPL and Jayaswal guilty under IPC Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 (cheating), as well as the substantive offence under Section 420. Arguments regarding sentencing are scheduled for July 8, 2025.
This conviction marks the 19th successful prosecution in the coal scam cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The case stemmed from a Preliminary Enquiry launched by the CBI based on a referral from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which had flagged alleged irregularities in coal block allocations to private firms between 2006 and 2009.
Investigations revealed that JICPL and its director had submitted false information and concealed critical facts in their application to secure the allocation of the Mahuagarhi coal block.
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The Supreme Court had closely supervised the coal block allocation investigations, and the trial court had taken cognisance of the matter based on CBI’s findings, summoning all accused.
Over the course of the trial, the CBI presented evidence through 18 witnesses and succeeded in establishing guilt beyond reasonable doubt for the corporate entity and its director.
