Chhattisgarh HC rejects bail plea by SECL officials

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Aug 30 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected an anticipatory bail plea by 36 officials and transporters, of the state government and South-Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), in a case relating to bungling in coal transport.

Justice Lalchand Bhadu dismissed the petition yesterday after hearing arguments of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Counsel Ashok Verma and the petitioners.

Between 2001 and 2003, SECL accepted a tender for coal transport.

With ''connivance'' of Transport Department employees, loading certificates -- far exceeding trucks' maximum capacity -- were obtained. Contractors thereby earned Rs 1.80 crore. On March 31, 2004, the CBI registered a case.

UNI