Coal scam: Special court frames charges against former coal secy HC Gupta, 5 others

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A special court on Friday framed charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy against former coal secretary HC Gupta and five others in a coal block allocation scam case.

The court also framed charges against ex-joint secretary in Ministry of Coal (MoC) KS Kropha and the then Director (CA-I) in MoC, KC Samria.

Charges also framed against Vikash Metals and Power Ltd and its two officials.

Ex-coal secretary had earlier told a special court on August 16 that he intended to "face trial from inside the jail" and withdraw his personal bond to secure bail due to financial difficulties.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case.