CBI: Dasari is a conspirator in coalgate scam

New Delhi, Nov 03: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told a special court here that former Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao, industrialist Naveen Zindal, Jharkhand former CM Madhu Koda and HC Gupta, former secretary, Ministry of Coal, hatched a conspiracy to allot coal blocks for two Zindal Group companies. The CBI said that Dasari and others influenced Jharkhand government to allot Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block at Birbhum in the state to two Zindal Group companies JSPL and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Limited. It may be noted that 11 persons including Dasari, Naveen Zindal and Madhu Koda names figured in the chargesheet filed by CBI. Dasari's counsels said that screening committee had allocated the coal blocks. Dasari has no role in the allotment as the Coal portfolio was held by the then Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh, they argued.