Delhi Court Summons Naveen Jindal, Former Coal Secretary in Coal Block Allocation Case

A Delhi court has issued summons to industrialist and Lok Sabha MP Naveen Jindal , former coal secretary P C Parekh , and several others after taking cognisance of a CBI chargesheet linked to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Gare Palma IV/1 coal block in Chhattisgarh.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in the allocation and development of coal blocks during the period when several private companies were granted mining rights. The CBI has examined whether allocation norms were followed and whether mining operations were carried out in compliance with approved conditions and limits.

The summons, returnable on July 17, also includes M/s Jindal Steel and Power Ltd , its managing director Naveen Jindal , Rakesh Kumar Jindal, Ram Kishore, S K Agarwal, and M/s Jindal Strips Ltd (now known as M/s Nalwa Sons Investments Ltd).

The investigation began with a preliminary inquiry by the CBI on directions of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 2012, later culminating in a formal case registered in 2014.

Special Judge Sunena Sharma noted that the chargesheet is among the most voluminous in coal block cases, comprising 778 documents , over one lakh pages , and statements of 234 witnesses . Despite the scale of the probe, the court observed that there was sufficient material to proceed.

According to the chargesheet, alleged irregularities include mining beyond approved coordinates, extraction exceeding sanctioned limits, and sale of coal fines and washery rejects to sister concerns and private entities without permission. It also refers to alleged manipulation of minutes from a 2005 meeting to regularise certain actions.

The court has taken cognisance of offences including criminal conspiracy , cheating , criminal breach of trust , and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to criminal misconduct by public servants.

The matter will now be heard further on July 17 as the proceedings continue in the long running coal block allocation case under CBI investigation.