New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) A special court here on Wednesday summoned former prime minister Manmohan Singh, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and former coal secretary P.C. Parakh in a coal block allocation case.
Special Judge Bharat Parashar, after taking cognizance of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) final report in the case, also summoned Hindalco officials Shubendu Amitabh and D. Bhattacharya on April 8.
The court summoned them under various sections of the Indian Penal code dealing with criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The final compliance report in the matter was filed on the court's order on February 19.
The court on December 16 last year, while refusing to accept the CBI's closure report, had directed the agency to record the former prime minister's statement.
Manmohan Singh was questioned in January in connection with allocation of Talabira II and III coal blocks in Odisha to Hindalco in 2005 when he also held the coal portfolio.
Earlier, the agency had filed the statements of various people recorded during its probe. The CBI had in October 2013 booked Birla, Parakh and others on charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption in the case.
It later it filed a closure report, saying the evidence collected during investigations did not substantiate the allegations levelled against the people named in the FIR.
The court, however, had rejected the closure report and observed that a concerted effort was being made to manipulate the entire government machinery so as to protect the interest of Hindalco.
Commenting on the development, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the former prime minister was paying for the "sin" of the Congress party.
"It is a Congress' scam and because of the Congress' sin, Manmohan ji, the economist (former) prime minister, has to face this," Javadekar told reporters.
"Congress is responsible for bringing former PM to this threshold," he added.
Calling it "yet another blot on the Congress", Javadekar said all political parties siding with the Congress will now be forced to reconsider their stand.
Two pet cats infected with corona virus in New York, first case of animal infection in US
In the US that is suffering from the havoc of the Corona virus, there have been cases of infecting humans as well as pets. In New York, two domesticated cats have been found infected with the corona
Gotabaya Rajapaksa's Return: Gotabaya Rajapaksa ready to return to Sri Lanka next week: Report
Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to return to the island nation next week. Let us tell you that there was a massive protest against him in Sri Lanka in July, due to which he left
Uniform Civil Code: Tribes of Uttarakhand may be out of UCC, the government is yet to decide on this
The tribes of Uttarakhand can remain separate from the Uniform Civil Code. There are seven major tribes in the state, whose customs and rules are different. However, the government has yet to decide
Weather Update Today: Rain warning, yellow alert issued in these 20 districts of UP, know the weather condition across the country
It is raining heavily in many states of the country. The Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heavy rain in many states even today. Today, rain is expected in the states of Jharkhand,
UP: Big order of Chief Minister Yogi, dependents of state employees will get jobs on deaths from Covid
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a big announcement that the families of the state employees who died while on duty due to Covid infection will be fully supported. They have also issued orders
Street Fighter Teaser: Action-packed 'Street Fighter' teaser, Vidyut Jammwal's powerful look shines in Hollywood
Actor Vidyut Jammwal, known for his powerful action in Bollywood, will now be seen showcasing his prowess in Hollywood. He's set to make waves in Hollywood's most anticipated action thriller, Street
Suspense on the face in Uttarakhand! Yogi will again come to Delhi, Goa CM will also camp, BJP government will be formed in 4 states like this
Out of the assembly elections held in five states, BJP has waved the victory flag in 4 states. The BJP has got a thumping majority in UP and Uttarakhand, while in Manipur the party has also got a
Aakash Chopra raises a big question on Rohit Sharma's 'poor' captaincy, Jasprit Bumrah not fully utilized?
Team India lost by 10 wickets in the Adelaide Test played under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. It was a pink ball day-night test. After this defeat, Rohit Sharma's captaincy has come under question.
IMF's alarm on recession before G-20 summit, there is a big crisis in China and Europe too; what is estimation
The International Monetary Fund raised concerns about the global economy just before the G-20 meeting. The IMF says that the world economy seems to be weakening. The global body said that the
Rahul Gandhi: So will Rahul Gandhi return to Parliament today, what is the process of returning the MP?
Monday is considered very special for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after getting relief from the Supreme Court in the defamation case. Everyone's eyes, including the Congress, are on the Lok Sabha
