Supreme Court Appoints Justice Sunaina Sharma to Oversee Coal Scam Trials
In a landmark judicial move, Justice Sunaina Sharma takes charge of high-profile coal allocation cases investigated by CBI. This appointment signals intensified scrutiny of India's biggest corruption scandal.
In a decisive move to accelerate the adjudication of India's most significant corruption cases, the Supreme Court has appointed Justice Sunaina Sharma as the special judge to exclusively oversee all coal block allocation scam trials being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. This strategic judicial appointment, announced on Monday, represents a critical juncture in the decade-long legal battle surrounding the ₹1.86 lakh crore scandal that shook the nation's political and corporate establishments.
The Judicial Mandate: Unprecedented Authority
Justice Sunaina Sharma, currently serving as an Additional Sessions Judge in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, has been vested with exclusive jurisdiction over all coal scam cases. The Supreme Court's order, delivered by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, consolidates 20 pending cases under her purview, ensuring unified judicial oversight and eliminating procedural delays that have plagued the trials since 2012.
"The appointment of a dedicated judge is not merely administrative convenience; it represents judicial determination to ensure these monumental cases reach their logical conclusion. Justice delayed in matters of such public importance is justice denied to the nation."
— Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan, Petitioner in Coal Scam Cases
The coal block allocation scam, unearthed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2012, involved arbitrary allocation of 214 coal blocks to private and public sector companies between 1993 and 2010, causing an estimated loss of ₹1.86 lakh crore to the national exchequer. The Supreme Court's 2014 judgment cancelled 214 coal block allocations, terming the process "illegal and arbitrary."
Profile: Justice Sunaina Sharma
Legal Pedigree & Notable Judgments
With over 22 years of judicial experience, Justice Sharma brings a formidable track record in handling complex commercial and corruption cases. Her appointment follows her notable handling of high-profile matters including the Delhi excise policy case and the Unitech real estate fraud. Legal experts highlight her reputation for meticulous scrutiny of documentary evidence and expeditious trial management.
Judicial Career Timeline
Began judicial career as Metropolitan Magistrate
Specialized in commercial and corruption cases
Handled complex financial documentation and multiple accused
Recognized for clearing backlog of 200+ cases in 18 months
The Coal Scam: Cases Under Purview
The cases assigned to Justice Sharma involve former Union ministers, senior bureaucrats, and corporate executives from major industrial groups. Notable cases include those against former coal secretary H.C. Gupta (allocated blocks during 2006-09), industrialist Naveen Jindal's group companies, and former MP Vijay Darda.
CBI's Investigation Framework
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed chargesheets under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code. The agency's case rests on the premise that coal blocks were allocated without transparent competitive bidding, favoring select companies while violating the "first-come-first-served" policy established by the government.
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