Coal scam case: Former coal secretary HC Gupta sentenced to 3 years in jail, gets bail

A Delhi court sentenced former coal secretary HC Gupta to three-year imprisonment on Wednesday for irregularities in the allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal to a private firm. Two other bureaucrats  --- KS Kropha and KC Samria --- have been sentenced to four years of imprisonment. However, he and the other two were granted bail soon after. All of them have to furnish a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety amount. 

Delhi's Patiala House Court grants bail to the HC Gupta (former Coal Secretary) and two other public servants. All have to furnish a personal bond of rupees one lakh and one surety amount. https://t.co/VjtWTNBCSQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2018

The Central Bureau of Investigation had sought a maximum of seven-year imprisonment for the five convicted persons and imposition of a heavy fine on the private firm. The offences for which they had been convicted entail a minimum punishment of one year in jail, going up to a maximum of seven years.

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The court had on November 30 convicted Gupta, former joint secretary in ministry of coal Kropha and the then director (CA-I) in the ministry Samria.

(With PTI inputs)