The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who sought to stay his conviction in a coal scam case that has marred his political career. The rejection came from Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, blocking Koda’s attempt to contest in the forthcoming state assembly elections.
Madhu Koda, along with other high-profile figures such as former coal secretary H.C. Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary A.K. Basu, and Koda’s close aide Vijay Joshi, were previously sentenced to three-year jail terms by a trial court. The convictions were related to corrupt practices and criminal conspiracy in the allocation of the Rajhara North Coal Block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL).
In addition to the prison terms, the court had levied hefty fines on the convicts and the company involved. VISUL was fined Rs 50 lakh, while Koda and Gupta were ordered to pay Rs 25 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. A.K. Basu was also fined Rs 1 lakh. These fines were part of the penalties imposed for their roles in the coal allocation scam, which dates back to the UPA government era.
While the convicts have been granted bail pending their appeals, Koda’s recent legal move was aimed at obtaining a stay on his conviction to clear his path for electoral participation. However, with the Delhi High Court’s decision to dismiss his application, Koda’s political ambitions have been put on hold.
