CBI opposes bail to Koda, others in coal block case
New Delhi, Feb 18: Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and some public servants conspired to favour Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd. in the allocation of a coal block, the CBI told a special court Wednesday while opposing the bail application of the accused. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told special Judge Bharat Parashar that Koda, former Jharkhand chief secretary Ashok Kumar Basu, ex-coal secretary Harish Chandra Gupta and others conspired to favour Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL) in allocation of the Rajhara coal block. The CBI added that Gupta misled then prime minister Manmohan Singh saying that the recommendation was based on merit. The agency requested the court not to grant them bail and instead put them in jail. However, Koda and the others requested the court to grant them bail as they have co-operated during the investigation of the case. The accused said they will appear in the court on every date fixed for hearing. After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its order order on the bail application and said that it will be delivered at 3 p.m. Wednesday.