A Special CBI court Monday asked the investigating agency to file its reply on an application filed by former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who wants former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be made an accused in a coal block allocation case, claiming that the “ultimate final authority” cannot be allowed to go “scot-free” without facing trial. Koda on Monday filed an application seeking to summon Singh as an accused along with Anand Swaroop, the then secretary (energy), and Jai Shankar Tiwari, the then secretary (mines and geology). Koda argued that Singh, being the “final authority to allocate coal blocks”, cannot “escape from the consequences of his decision”. Special Judge Bharat Parashar has directed the CBI to reply to the plea by August 28. [related-post] The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to two Jindal group companies, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd (GSIPL). Koda, Jindal and 13 others were chargesheeted by the CBI in the case earlier. “The materials placed by CBI shows that the said conspiracy, if any, cannot be complete without the involvement of the coal minister (Singh) who had the final say in the entire allotment,” said Koda in his plea. “The materials on record show that the coal minister was aware of the facts of the case and had taken the decision consciously with full application of mind to allot coal block to JSPL and GSIPL. which according to the CBI is the result of conspiracy and is illegal. Hence, he (Singh) is also required to be summoned,” he said. “It is therefore prayed that your lordship may graciously be pleased to summon Singh, Swaroop and Tiwari as accused persons for facing trial in the present case,” said Koda. Koda said the court was required to consider that the case of all the other accused “stand on a better footing as compared to Dr Manmohan Singh”. Koda, in his plea, said it was “clear that Singh. has allotted the coal block without public interest and there is sufficient evidence on record warranting this court to summon him for facing trial”.
