December 03, 2018:
On Monday, a Delhi Court said it would pronounce on Dec 5 its order on the sentencing of former coal secretary HC Gupta & five others convicted for irregularities in the allotment of coal blocks to a private firm in West Bengal.
Special Judge Bharat Parashar concluded hearing on arguments on the quantum of punishment. The CBI sought a max. of 7 years imprisonment for the 5 convicted persons and imposition of heavy fine on the private firm.
The counsel for HC Gupta & four other convicted persons sought a lenient sentence.
HC Gupta's counsel pleaded that he was 70 years old and suffering from various ailments. He only had his pension to support his family, the lawyer said.
On Nov 30, the court convicted HC Gupta, private firm Vikash Metals & Power Limited as well as one serving and one retired public servant - former joint secretary in Ministry of Coal K S Kropha and then director (CA-I) in the ministry KC Samria.
The court also convicted the firm's managing director Vikash Patni and its authorized signatory Anand Mallick.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allocation of Moira & Madhujore (North & South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In Sep 2012, the CBI registered an FIR in the case.
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