Coal scam: HC Gupta, five others to be sentenced on December 5

Special Judge Bharat Parashar concluded hearing on arguments on the quantum of punishment. The CBI sought a maximum of seven years imprisonment for the five convicted persons and imposition of heavy fine on the private firm.

The counsel for Gupta and four other convicted persons sought a lenient sentence.

Gupta's counsel pleaded that he was 70 years old and suffering from various ailments. He only had his pension to support his family, the lawyer said.

On November 30, the court convicted Gupta, private firm Vikash Metals and Power Limited as well as one serving and one retired public servant — former joint secretary in Ministry of Coal K S Kropha and then director (CA-I) in the ministry KC Samria.

The court also convicted the firm's managing director Vikash Patni and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI registered an FIR in the case.