Prima facie evidence against former Coal Secretary: Court

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) A court here on Wednesday found prima facie evidence against former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta, businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal and three others in alleged irregularities in allocation of Mahuagarhi coal block in Jharkhand to compnay Jas Infrastructure Capital Pvt. Ltd (JICPL).

Central Bureau of Investigation Special Judge Bharat Parashar found prima facie charge for the offences dealing with criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust under the Indian Penal Code and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act is made out against all the five accused - the JICPL, its director Jayaswal, Gupta and two other then Coal Ministry officials - K.S. Kropha and K.C. Samria.

The court adjourned for framing of formal charge on December 22.

The court was the case of alleged irregularities by JICPL in acquiring the Mahuagarhi coal block.

--IANS

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