The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Narayan Sahu, an accused in the alleged Chhattisgarh coal levy scam, and directed that co-accused Devendra Dadsena, a former accountant and personal assistant to the then Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal, be enlarged on bail after 12 days, giving the State time to confront him with recently arrested co-accused Ramgopal Agrawal.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard the connected bail pleas filed by Narayan Sahu and Devendra Dadsena. The cases arise out of Crime registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB), Chhattisgarh, concerning the alleged coal levy scam. The prosecution alleges that an illegal syndicate collected levy from coal transporters and routed the proceeds to public servants, government officials and political functionaries.
Senior Advocate Sidhharth Dave, appearing for the petitioners submitted that nearly 17 to 18 co-accused had already been granted bail and that the trial had not yet commenced. It was argued that Sahu had been in custody since 24 February 2026, while Dadsena had remained incarcerated for almost a year.
Opposing Dadsena’s plea, the State informed the Court that Ramgopal Agrawal, the former PCC treasurer and an alleged common link in multiple corruption cases, had remained absconding for nearly four years. The State submitted that Dadsena, who initially served as an accountant before becoming Agrawal’s personal assistant, was required to be confronted with him in custody. Seeking time, the State submitted:
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“May Lordships give us one week, ten days’ time only to confront Ramgopal Agrawal with Dadsena.”
The Court noted that Narayan Sahu was alleged to have been the driver of co-accused Suryakant Tiwari and an active member of the alleged syndicate involved in the illegal collection of coal levy. The prosecution alleged that illegal cash was routed through members of the syndicate to government officials, public servants and political functionaries.
However, taking note of the fact that the chargesheet had already been filed, the investigation against Sahu had substantially progressed, several co-accused, including Suryakant Tiwari, had already been released on bail, and that the trial would take time, the Bench granted him bail. The Court observed:
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“Since the conclusion of trial will take reasonable time and no purpose will be served by keeping the petitioner in individual custody, however without expressing any opinion on merits, the instant petition is allowed and the petitioner is directed to be released on bail.”
In Dadsena’s case, while accepting the State’s request for a limited period to carry out the confrontation with Agrawal, the Bench directed that he shall be enlarged on bail after 12 days
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