India

Coal scam: Madhu Koda sentenced to 3 years, fined Rs 25 lakh

Coal scam: Madhu Koda sentenced to 3 years, fined Rs 25 lakh

Jharkhand’s former chief minister Madhu Koda was sentenced to 3 years in a coal scam on Saturday. Special CBI court imposed a fine of 25 lakh on them. The Koda and three other convicts have also been granted interim bail of 2 months for appealing in the High Court. Two days ago, the court had convicted Koda, former coal secretary HC Gupta, Jharkhand’s former Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Basu, and Koda’s close relative Vijay Joshi. After this, Koda had appealed to soft in the punishment due to his health and family. 

This case is related to irregularities in the allocation of VISUAL (Vini Iron & Steel Udyog Ltd) of Kolkata in Rajarhar North Coal Block, Jharkhand. Bharat Parashar Judgeof the Special court pronounced a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the Kolkata-based errant company. Moreover, with the rigorous imprisonment, Koda has been fined Rs 25 lakh and three public servants were also fined Rs 1 lakh each.

46-year-old Madhu Koda has been the Chief Minister of Jharkhand from September 2006 to August 2008. He was the fifth Chief Minister of this tribal state. While becoming the CM, he was an Independent MLA in the state assembly. Madhu Koda, who started as an activist of the All Jharkhand Staff Union (AJSU) in politics, has also been associated with the RSS.

In the government of BJP’s Babulal Marandi, Koda became the Panchayati Raj minister. In the elections of 2005, BJP did not give ticket to Madhu Koda. After this, the Koda won by electing an independent election. When no party or collaboration got a majority in the Assembly, Koda gave his support to Arjun Munda, the BJP-led government.

In September 2006, Madhu Koda and three other independent MLAs withdrew support from the Arjun Munda government. After which a minority BJP government had fallen. Later, with the collaboration of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) he formed his government in the state by making him as the chief minister.

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Shilpi Gupta

Food Technologist by Profession and Blogger by Destiny. love to write articles on food technology, spirituality and social issues.

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