Coal scam cases: SC asks Delhi HC not to stay trials, dispose of appeals in four weeks

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court not to grant any stay on trials in coal block  allocation scam cases and decide pending appeals of accused within four weeks to ensure their rights are not adversely affected.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the orders after it was pointed out that in some coal scam cases the accused have moved the high court for relief while 
in some cases they have moved the top court.

“No interim stay can be granted by the Delhi High Court. However, keeping in view the fact that non-stay of the trial may prejudice the rights of the accused, the high court is directed  to decide such petitions preferably in four weeks,” the bench ordered. The bench said it has not expressed any opinion on the merit of any case. 

Last month, the top court, while relaxing its nearly 12-year-old order mandating appeals arising from the orders of special court in coal block allocation scam cases to be filed in the top court, the bench had said the prosecution and accused can move the Delhi High Court challenging acquittals or convictions recorded by the special judge.

The top court in 2014 quashed 214 coal blocks allocated by the Centre between 1993 and 2010 after taking note of the PILs and ordered a trial by a special CBI judge.
It directed that all appeals against orders on framing of charge, quashing of case and bail petitions passed by the special designated court must be filed only before the apex court and not the Delhi High Court.
The top court had said this restriction was imposed to prevent accused from delaying trials in coal scam cases.

Several accused aggrieved with the decision of the apex court have time and again sought modification of the direction while complaining that loss of one appellate forum against the orders of the trial court was prejudicial to them.
On December 4, 2024, the top court said it would consider pleas seeking modification of its earlier orders that barred high courts from hearing appeals against trial court orders passed in cases related to alleged illegal coal block allocations.

The apex court passed two orders between 2014 and 2017 restricting the accused from approaching the high court and had directed that appeals against trial court proceedings in the coal scam cases could only be filed in the top court.

The intent behind the orders was to expedite trial processes by preventing delays and to stall the proceedings by the accused seeking relief in high courts.
The CBI filed 57 cases in the coal scam. Several consequential money laundering cases were also filed.