Delhi HC denies Koda’s plea to stay conviction in coal scam case

Ranchi: The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, bringing his political ambitions to an abrupt halt as he sought to stay his conviction in a coal scam case in order to participate in the upcoming state assembly elections.

The decision, delivered by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, has blocked Koda’s bid to clear his name ahead of the crucial Jharkhand assembly polls.

Koda, along with several other prominent figures, including former coal secretary HC Gupta, former Jharkhand chief secretary AK Basu, and his close associate Vijay Joshi, had been sentenced to three-year jail terms by a trial court for their involvement in corrupt practices and criminal conspiracy related to the allocation of the Rajhara North Coal Block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). This conviction, stemming from the coal scam that dates back to the UPA government era, has significantly tarnished Koda’s political career.

Along with their prison sentences, the court imposed 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. AK Basu also faced a fine of Rs 1 lakh for his role in the scam.

Although the convicts, including Koda, were granted bail pending their appeals, Koda’s recent legal move sought a stay on his conviction to pave the way for his participation in the upcoming assembly elections. Koda was planning to contest from the Jaganathpur constituency.

However, with the Delhi High Court’s rejection of his plea, his hopes of a political comeback have been dashed for the time being.