Coal import case: questioning soon

By K. T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JUNE 20. Prosecution evidence in the case relating to the controversial `coal import deal' during the earlier AIADMK rule, is expected to be completed in the first week of next month.

Only a few more prosecution witnesses are to be examined in the case before it reaches the next stage of questioning of the accused under section 313 Cr.P.C., official sources told The Hindu.

If everything goes according to the present schedule, the sources feel the `coal case' will be the first in which prosecution part of the evidence will be completed after the new Government has taken over.

The case, registered by the CB-CID, is that between February 1992 and October 1993, the accused, along with five suppliers, were parties to a criminal conspiracy in connection with import of coal for the State Electricity Board, thereby causing `wrongful' loss to the Government to the tune of Rs.6.50 crores.

While the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, has been cited as the main accused, her erstwhile Cabinet colleague, Mr. S. Kannappan, former Chief Secretary, Mr. T. V. Venkataraman, former TNEB Chairman, Mr. N. Haribhaskar, former Industries Secretary, Mr. C. Ramachandran and serving IAS officer, Mr. N. Narayanan, are among the other accused.

Chargesheet was filed on September 18, 1997 and trial commenced on July 15, 1999.

Holding there was nothing to connect Ms.Jayalalithaa with the alleged conspiracy, the Special Court discharged her in June, 1999 and the High Court confirmed the trial court order. As the Supreme Court set aside the orders of the Special Court and High Court in May, 2000, charges were framed against her in July the same year and trial recommenced from October. Fiftynine persons were listed as witnesses in the chargesheet.

Thirty witnesses have tendered evidence, so far, and cross- examination has not been completed in the case of a few witnesses.

The sources say only about half-a-dozen more witnesses are expected to be examined. With trial to be conducted on a daily basis from next week, prosecution evidence is likely to come to an end by the first week of July.

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Section  : Southern States
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