Ranchi, Aug 12 (IANS) In a significant verdict, a special NIA court in Ranchi on Wednesday held 14 accused guilty after trial in a terror funding case linked to the Magadh and Amrapali coal projects of the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Jharkhand.
The quantum of sentences will be pronounced on August 18.
The court, however, acquitted Ajit Kumar Thakur, General Manager of the Amrapali Coal Project, while proceedings against another accused, Aakraman Ji, are continuing separately.
Those convicted include Vinod Ganjhu, Munesh Ganjhu, Birbal Ganjhu, Bindu Ganjhu, Koharam, Subhan Mian, Sanjay Jain, Prem Vikas, Mukesh Ganjhu, Bhikhan Ganjhu, Gopal Singh Bhokta and Anishchay Ganjhu, among others.
According to the NIA, some of the convicts were members of the banned extremist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), while others were involved in collecting levy on its behalf.
The case stems from Tandwa Police Station Case No 2/2016. The NIA took over the investigation on February 13, 2018, and subsequently filed a chargesheet against 16 accused people after completing its probe. The trial had been underway in the NIA Special Court in Ranchi.
According to the agency, its investigation uncovered an alleged network through which funds were diverted to the TPC from activities associated with the Magadh and Amrapali coal projects.
The NIA claimed that financial support was provided to the extremist organisation through coal transportation contracts and related operations.
The probe further alleged that coal transportation contracts in the two projects were secured at inflated rates with the objective of facilitating levy payments to the TPC.
Investigators also claimed to have found evidence of a nexus involving officials of CCL, police personnel, extremists and members linked to local peace committees, which allegedly enabled the terror funding network.
The NIA maintained that the arrangement helped channel financial resources to the banned outfit.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, the court is scheduled to hear arguments on sentencing on August 18 before pronouncing punishment.
–IANS
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