The SC on Friday ordered setting up of a special court to exclusively hold trial of the coal blocks allocation scam and asked the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to nominate a judge, who will deal with the cases arising out of the investigation conducted by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.
A bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha also decided to appoint an eminent lawyer as Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for conducting the trial proceedings before the special court in the national capital for which the Chief Justice of the High Court has been asked to nominate a judge within a week. ‘As of now we direct the Secretary General of the SC to write to the Registrar General of the Delhi HC to take orders from the Chief Justice to nominate an officer from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service as Special Judge to deal with coal block allocation matters registered under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other allied offences,’ the bench said. The bench said the Registrar General will communicate the decision to the apex court before 25 July when the matter will be taken up again for hearing.
Meanwhile, the bench asked all stakeholders to hold consultation for unanimous choice on appointment of SPP, for conducting trial of cases. ‘We want a person of impeccable integrity and with free legal mind,’ the bench said. The name of advocate Gopal Subramanium was mentioned as the first choice among others.