A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Thursday acquitted former coal secretary HC Gupta and a company– Pushp Steel & Mining Pvt Ltd (PSMPL)–in a case relating to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block. Special Judge Bharat Parashar said the CBI “miserably failed” to prove the charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal misconduct, criminal breach of trust by a public servant against Gupta.
“So, I hereby acquit both accused — PSMPL and Gupta — in the present case of all offences,” the judge said.
Advocate Rajat Mathur, appearing for accused Gupta, had denied the allegations and had claimed that the case of the CBI was false.
The case pertains to irregularities in the allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI registered an FIR in the case.
The CBI had sought a maximum of seven years imprisonment for the five convicted persons and imposition of heavy fine on the private firm.
