NEW DELHI: A special court today issued a bailable warrant against a CBI witness in a coal scam case, in which Delhi-based Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) and its three officials are facing trial, after he left the courtroom without taking permission.
During the recording of evidence when the court asked for witness Y K Aggarwal, CBI's investigating officer (IO) said that he was present in the courtroom in the morning but has left the court.
"IO inspector Manoj Kumar further states that another witness namely Y K Aggarwal who was served for today was present in the morning in the court but has since left the court.
"In these circumstances, as PW Y K Aggarwal has left the court without permission, so I direct that he be called through bailable warrant in the sum of Rs 5,000 to be served through IO for August 3," Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said.
During the proceedings, the court recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses, V S Rana and N R Dass.
These two witnesses were not cross-examined today by the accused as the defence counsel were not available. The court has fixed the matter for tomorrow.
The court had earlier framed charges against RSPL and its three top officials - Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, Chief Executive Officer Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal, for the alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy.
The court has put them on trial saying they had allegedly conspired and furnished wrong information to get Kesla North coal block in Chhattisgarh and "misappropriated" nationalised natural resources.
The three accused were earlier granted bail by the court after they had appeared before it.
CBI had lodged an FIR against RSPL, its directors, Udit Rathi and members of the 36th screening committee and other unnamed persons for offences under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) of IPC and under Prevention of Corruption Act.
A charge sheet was later filed against RSPL and Udit Rathi only. Regarding other directors of RSPL or members of the 36th screening committee, CBI had said allegations against them could not be substantiated during the probe.