Supreme Court extends filing deadline for affidavits, appoints Special Public Prosecutor in coal allocation cases

The Supreme Court allowed time for filing affidavits by the Union of India and three Associations, directing their submission by a specified date. Additionally, the Court approved the appointment of Shri R.S. Cheema as Special Public Prosecutor in cases related to coal block allocation, with the assistance of three Senior Public Prosecutors from CBI. This decision aimed to enhance the prosecution process and ensure compliance with legal protocols in cases concerning coal block allocation.

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Issues:
1. Submission of affidavits by various parties
2. Appointment of Special Public Prosecutor and assistance by Senior Public Prosecutors

Submission of Affidavits:
The Supreme Court, in response to submissions by learned counsels and associations, allowed time for filing respective affidavits by the Union of India and three Associations. The Court deemed the prayer for an extension reasonable and directed that the affidavits be filed by a specified date. The matters were listed for further consideration on a specific date and time, providing an opportunity for the concerned parties to present their case effectively.

Appointment of Special Public Prosecutor and Assistance by Senior Public Prosecutors:
A report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) highlighted the appointment of Shri R.S. Cheema as Special Public Prosecutor by the Government of India in cases related to the allocation of coal blocks. The report also mentioned Shri R.S. Cheema's request for the assistance of three Senior Public Prosecutors in these cases. The Supreme Court, after reviewing the report, found the request reasonable and ordered that the three Senior Public Prosecutors from CBI assist Shri R.S. Cheema in the aforementioned cases. This decision aimed to ensure effective prosecution and adherence to legal procedures in matters concerning the allocation of coal blocks.

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