Supreme Court directs Delhi High Court to decide coal scam appeals within four weeks

The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to decide pending appeals by accused in coal block allocation scam cases within four weeks while barring any interim stay on ongoing trials.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued the order Wednesday after noting that some accused had approached the high court while others moved the apex court directly. "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 ruled. The court clarified it had not expressed any opinion on the merit of any case.

Reversal of 12-Year Restriction

The order follows the Supreme Court's relaxation last month of its nearly 12-year-old directive that had mandated all appeals from the special court's orders in coal scam cases be filed only in the apex court. Under the modified regime, both prosecution and accused can now approach the Delhi High Court to challenge acquittals or convictions recorded by the special judge.

The original 2014 restriction was imposed to prevent accused from delaying trials by moving high courts. That year, the Supreme Court had quashed 214 coal blocks allocated by the Centre between 1993 and 2010 following public interest litigation, ordering a trial by a special CBI judge. It directed that all appeals against orders on framing of charges, quashing of cases and bail petitions be filed exclusively before the Supreme Court, bypassing the Delhi High Court.

Accused Challenge Lost Appellate Forum

Multiple accused repeatedly sought modification of the directive, arguing the loss of one appellate forum against trial court orders was prejudicial to their rights. On December 4, 2024, the Supreme Court agreed to consider pleas challenging its earlier bar on high court appeals in the coal block allocation cases.

Between 2014 and 2017, the Supreme Court passed two orders restricting high court access, intending to expedite trials by preventing delays through repeated relief applications. The CBI registered 57 cases in the coal scam, with several consequential money laundering cases also filed.

Source: The Hindu