Congress leader and industrialist, Naveen Jindal along with a few other people associated with Jindal steel company have been alleged for money laundering and cases which are related to irregularities of coal blocks in the state of Jharkhand. The same court in the year 2016 had framed charges against Jindal as well as 11 other individuals on allegations of ‘offenses of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust under the IPC and sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.’
Judge Bharat Parashar had instructed them to appear in the court on October 15 claiming that on the surface there was enough evidence to summon them as accused’. This case primarily focuses on the allocation of resources of the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.
In its final report, which was issued through public prosecutor NK Matta and advocate Tarannum Cheema, the Enforcement Directorate alleged that Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. along with others had influenced the screening committee during allocation of the coal block ‘by investing more than Rs 2 crore in illegal gratification’.
“ In view of the averments made in the complaint (ED’s charge sheet), I take cognisance of the offence under Section 3 ( money laundering) punishable under Section 4 ( punishment for money laundering) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against all of the 15 accused persons” stated Parashar.
Along with Jindal the main names who have got involved are Essar Power’s executive vice-chairman Sushil Kumar Maroo, Jindal’s ex-advisor Anand Goel, KE International’s Chief Financial Officer Rajeev Aggarwal and Green Infra Vice-President Siddharth Madrato. Jindal not only faces these charges, instead, the CBI has filed another charge sheet against him, Anand Goel Sushil Kumar Maroo for cheating the government by misrepresenting facts to get the Madhya Pradesh-based Urtan North coal region. It is only 15th October of this year will the allegedly accused be facing another hearing in the court where further discussions will be taking place.