The Supreme Court Friday appointed Additional Sessions Judge Bharat Parashar to preside over the Special Court set up for exclusively holding trial in cases of coal blocks allocation and named senior advocate R S Cheema as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct prosecution of the high and mighty allegedly involved. The apex court directed competent authorities to come out with the notifications within two weeks on appointment of the Special Judge and the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) and ordered trial of the cases on a day-to-day basis with a direction that no other courts other than the apex court would entertain or intervene in the matters arising out of alleged irregularities in coal blocks allocation. “We, accordingly direct competent authorities to issue requisite notifications appointing Bharat Parashar, officer of the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, as Special Judge to exclusively try the cases pertaining to coal blocks allocation registered under the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other allied offences. “Notifications shall be issued within two weeks from the date of communication of this order,” a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India R M Lodha said. “In continuation, we also order that R S Cheema, senior advocate, shall be appointed as the SPP by the government to conduct prosecution of offences pertaining to coal blocks allocation on behalf of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate,” the bench said in the order. It said on such appointment, the Chandigarh-based noted criminal lawyer, will have access to all materials and documents relating to investigations and assistance to the special court and he will be free to have his own team of lawyers to assist him.
