On Monday, the Special Court of Delhi convicted three individuals and a company in a coal block allocation scam that shook the nation. Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, Managing Director of M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (now M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Ltd.), former Director Ramesh Kumar Jayaswal, and the company itself were found guilty of corruption and fraud in securing coal blocks in Jharkhand.
The case stems from the 2016 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial allocation of the Brinda, Sisai, and Meral coal blocks to the company in 2005. The CBI charged the accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The Fraudulent Scheme
The investigation revealed a web of deceit orchestrated by M/s Abhijeet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. The CBI alleged that the company, in conspiracy with public servants, fabricated crucial documents to misrepresent its financial health and operational readiness. The fraudulent representations included:
- Fake purchase records of private land in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
- Fabricated procurement details for machinery for a proposed plant.
- False claims of financial tie-ups with banks.
These forged documents led to a favourable recommendation from the Ministry of Steel, resulting in the Ministry of Coal allocating the coal blocks to the company. The fraudulent activities caused significant losses to the public exchequer.
Trial and Conviction
The CBI filed its charge sheet in 2020, accusing the Jayaswals and their company of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and forgery. The trial saw 38 witnesses testify and 74 documents submitted as evidence. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj, presiding over the case at the Rouse Avenue District Court in Delhi, convicted all three accused on Monday.
Awaiting Sentencing
While the court has pronounced the verdict, the sentencing of the convicted individuals will take place at a later date.
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This conviction is a major milestone in the government’s ongoing battle against corruption in India’s coal sector, long marred by irregularities and fraudulent practices. The judgment is seen as a strong signal that accountability will be enforced in cases of corporate wrongdoing.
As the coal sector continues to recover from years of corruption scandals, this case highlights the critical need for transparency and stricter oversight in resource allocation.
