Former Coal Secretary Wants to Face Trial from Jail
HC Gupta, a 1971 IAS officer and former Coal Secretary is facing trial in the coal scam. A frustrated Gupta yesterday told the CBI Court that he wants to withdraw his bail bond and also the authorisation for his advocate. In a written application, he told the court that:
- he does not wish to examine any witness in his defence and intends to face the trial from inside the jail.
- he is also facing financial difficulties even in engaging a Lawyer.
The Court told him that if he is facing any such financial difficulties then he can be provided services of a Lawyer from New Delhi Legal Aid Services Authority or an Amicus Curiae can be appointed by the Court on his behalf. Gupta however refused to have services of any Counsel either from NDLSA or that of an Amicus Curiae. He was however given time to think over his application and submissions being made by him.
At this stage, the wife and son of accused H.C. Gupta happened to be present in the Court. After getting the Courtroom vacated from all persons present except the Court staff, the Judge had a talk with the wife and son of accused H.C. Gupta in open Court and informed them about the application moved by accused H.C. Gupta. Thereafter accused H.C. Gupta was also called inside the Courtroom and in the presence of Court staff the Judge had a talk with him and his wife and son in the open Court itself. Gupta has been given time to think over the plea made by him yesterday in the application and has been told that a decision on the application shall be taken at a subsequent date.
Fighting a court case is difficult - even for an IAS officer.