Naveen Jindal, others summoned in coal scam case

NEW DELHI: A special court on Tuesday summoned industrialist Naveen Jindal and five others as accused in a case related to the allocation of a coal block in Madhya Pradesh

Besides Jindal, the others summoned are the company — Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), the then director (finance) Sushil Maroo, the then deputy MD and present advisor Anand Goel, the then executive vicechairman and CEO Vikrant Gujaral and the then ED (raw material) DN Abrol for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of Urtan North coal block in Madhya Pradesh.

All the accused have to appear before special CBI judge Bharat Parashar on September 4.

The probe agency said in its charge sheet that during investigation, it was found that the accused misrepresented before the screening committee, facts pertaining to land acquired for its Patratu, Jharkhand project and orders for equipment placed for its Angul, Orissa project on December 8, 2007, and obtained the coal block.

In a statement, JSPL said that the company and its officials extended full co-operation to the investigating agency.

“The chargesheet is devoid of any merit and the allegations are false, misconceived and baseless. We are confident that the truth will prevail during the course of judicial proceedings and JSPL shall stand vindicated,” said a spokesperson.