Supreme Court relaxes Coalgate appeal rule, allows Delhi HC to hear cases
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Supreme Court modified its 12-year-old order that required all appeals in coal block scam cases to be filed directly in the Supreme Court. Now, appeals against trial court acquittals or convictions can be heard by the Delhi High Court. This change addresses concerns about the Supreme Court being burdened as the first appellate forum.
Background
In September 2014, the Supreme Court cancelled 204 of 218 coal block allocations and directed that all appeals against framing of charges, quashing of cases, and bail petitions must be filed only before the Supreme Court, not the Delhi High Court, to prevent delays. The coal scam (Coalgate) involved alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks during the UPA government.
Key facts
Supreme Court bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana modified the 2014 order.
Appeals against trial court acquittals or convictions in coal scam cases can now be filed in Delhi High Court.
The court observed that the Supreme Court cannot denude the High Court's constitutionally conferred appellate powers, which are part of the basic structure.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the Supreme Court should not be the first forum of appeal against trial court orders.
SC-appointed special public prosecutor R S Cheema sought continuation of restraint on appeals against interim orders, which the bench agreed to.
The modification applies only to final orders (conviction/acquittal); interim orders still go to Supreme Court.
In 2014, the Supreme Court had cancelled 204 coal block allocations and mandated all appeals to be filed only in the Supreme Court.
Kapil Sibal challenged the CAG's omnibus calculation of alleged loss, arguing that no mining had taken place in many blocks.
Prelims pointers
- Supreme Court (SC)
- Delhi High Court
- Coal block allocation scam (Coalgate)
- Basic structure doctrine
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- UPA government
- Special Public Prosecutor
- 2014 order cancelling 204 coal blocks
Mains angles
- Discuss the significance of the basic structure doctrine in the context of appellate jurisdiction of High Courts.
- Critically examine the role of the Supreme Court in monitoring criminal trials and its impact on federalism.
- Analyze the legal and procedural issues in the coal block allocation scam cases.