Friends, you must have not forgotten about the Coal Scam which happened about 10/12 years back during the regime of the UPA 2 government. The media went overboard at that time while covering this scam. Many politicians, govt officials, etc were implicated in this scam, and many of them faced court cases for their involvement in the scam. Recently three people were found guilty of their involvement in this scam, and they were Vijay J Darda, his son Devendra Darda, and Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, director of JLD Yavatmal Energy Private Ltd.
Jayaswal’s company was granted coal blocks in the states of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh. Coincidently JLD Yavatmal Energy Ltd was formed in 2006, and the promoter of this company was Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, who is related to Coal Minister Prakash Jayaswal in the then UPA government. Prakash daughter is married into a notable business family in Kolkata, headed by Ganesh Prasad. Manoj is the Son-in-law of Ganesh Prasad’s brother. These familial links, along with the timing and location of the coal allocations, invite a closer look into how relationships and connections might have influenced significant decisions regarding the distribution of valuable national resources.
Coal Block Allocation Scam-The Vijay Darda Connection
The investigations also brought to light a series of connections involving Manoj Kumar Jayaswal, Prakash Jayaswal, and Vijay Darda. These connections unveil a network of affiliations and interactions that shed light on their roles in the scam controversy. As mentioned before Manoj was the director of JLD Yavatmal, his role becomes significant when we consider its place within the larger framework of the unfolding scandal. As per the reports, Vijay Darda, along with his son Devendra and brother Rajendra, emerges as the primary beneficiary within this intricate network.
Looking into the distribution of equity within a cluster of companies orchestrated by the Jayaswal family. The Darda family holds a considerable 50% stake in JLD Yavatmal Energy, a company overseen by Manoj Kumar Jayaswal. This allocation of ownership establishes a tangible link between the Dardas and the corporate endeavours of Jayaswals
Interestingly, Vijay Darda’s decision to remain silent about these connections raises questions about the underlying motivations, strategic considerations, and complexities.
Vijay Darda’s love for coal- In 2012 India was shaken by a financial scandal of the Coalgate scam. At the heart of this controversy were Prakash Jayaswal and former PM Manmohan Singh (who also held a Coal portfolio before Prakash Jayaswal), Vijay Darda was also named among others. Prosecutors targeted Darda ( MP at that time) for alleged regularities tied to the allocation of the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh, to JLD Yavatmal.
The special judge laid out charges against a group that included not only Vijay Darda but also his son Devendra Darda, former Coal Secretary HC Gupta, and former Coa Ministry officials KS Kropha and KC Samria. JLD Yavatmal and its director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal were also charged.
For someone of Darda’s stature facing allegations from India’s two premier investigating agencies CBI and ED was an undeniable legal and public relations challenge. Vijay Darda’s troubles were not confined only to the Coalgate scam. His media outlet, LOKMAT, came under scrutiny as well. There were accusations that the Lokmat is fabricating and publishing fake news, regarding this case.
No Media Coverage
Despite being convicted in the Coal Block allocation Scam, there’s almost negligible coverage of Vijay Darda, or his accomplices in the mainstream media. His ability to shape narratives and his connections within powerful circles due to his media and political connections, must have influenced the narrative around the scam as well as the court trial to a great extent. If these connections were exposed, they could reveal more power dynamics and personal interests that often affect such high-profile cases.
The ongoing Coalgate scam investigations urge the agencies to delve deeper, looking beyond the surface to uncover the currents that shape power dynamics, influence, and decision-making within society. These connections could reveal more about the link between corporate governance and political influence.
The lack of media focus on the connection between Prakash Jayaswal, and the Coalgate episode, driven by the influence of Vijay Darda and his connections, underscores the need for a more comprehensive probe.
So this is a BLOCKED STORY.
Waiting for your views on this blog
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India,
11th October 2023.