Coal Scam: Order On Quantum Of Punishment To Ex-Secretary Gupta, Five Others On Dec. 5
Delhi court will pronounce order on the sentencing of former secretary HC Gupta, five others convicted in coal scam on Dec. 5.
A Delhi court on Monday said it would pronounce on Dec. 5 its order on the sentencing of former coal secretary HC Gupta and 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 Central Bureau of Investigation sought a maximum of seven years imprisonment for the five convicted persons and imposition of heavy fine on the private firm.
The counsel for Gupta and four other convicted persons sought a lenient sentence. 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 Gupta, private firm Vikash Metals and Power Ltd. as well as one serving and one retired public servant former joint secretary in Ministry of Coal KS Kropha and then director (CA-I) in the ministry KC Samria.
The court also convicted the firm's managing director Vikash Patni and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the 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.