#CoalScam: Delhi court convicts five, including ex-coal secretary HC Gupta
A Delhi court today held ex-coal secretary H C Gupta guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy in a coal scam case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal. HC Gupta was the coal secretary for two years under the UPA government. Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar also convicted four others in the case including ex-joint secretary in Ministry of Coal, KS Kropha.
Court also convicted private firm VMPL, its MD, authorized signatory
Besides Gupta and Kropha, Parashar also convicted private firm Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL) MD Vikash Patni and its authorized signatory Anand Mallick. In the case, one serving public servant and the then director (CA-I) in MoC, KC Samria were also convicted.
Convicts may get a maximum seven-year jail term
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September'12, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case. All the five convicted persons were taken into custody by the court, which fixed December 3 for arguments on quantum of punishment. The convicts may get a maximum seven-year jail term.
