The Supreme Court of India has appointed Sunena Sharma as the new Special Judge to hear Coalgate cases across India. The decision was taken by a Bench led by Surya Kant, replacing Sanjay Bhansal after over four-and-a-half years in the post.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday appointed judicial officer Sunena Sharma as the new Special Judge to hear cases related to alleged illegalities in the allocation of coal blocks across the country. The order was passed by a Bench of Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, and Joymalya Bagchi, after considering an application moved by the Delhi High Court.
The application stated that the present Special Judge, Sanjay Bhansal, had completed more than four and a half years in the post and should now be replaced in line with established practice. The High Court also formally sought permission to relieve him from the assignment.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Directs CBI to Move Delhi High Court in Coal Scam Case
A sealed cover containing the names of three officers from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service was placed before the Supreme Court for consideration.
While passing the order, the Bench recorded,
“This application has been filed stating that present presiding officer Mr Sanjay Bhansal has served as judge for 4.5 years and thus be replaced now by another officer. High Court has also formally applied to relieve Mr Bhansal. High Court has handed over a sealed envelope naming three members of Delhi Higher Judicial service. We appoint Ms Sunaina Sharma, an officer of the Delhi Higher Judicial service as the special judge of the Coal block allocation scam case,”
the Court ordered.
The appointment was made in the long-running matter of Manohar Lal Sharma vs The Principal Secretary & Others, popularly known as the coal scam case. In this case, the Supreme Court has been closely monitoring investigations into the allocation of coal blocks and related criminal proceedings.
The issue of relieving Sanjay Bhansal from the post of Special Judge had earlier been deferred by the Court last year.
In April 2025, Additional Sessions Judge Dheeraj Mor was appointed as the Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI) (Coal Block Cases)–01, indicating ongoing administrative changes in the handling of these sensitive cases.
In the Manohar Lal Sharma matter, the Supreme Court continues to oversee the probe being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the allocation of several coal blocks across India, which allegedly involved irregularities and misuse of public resources.
It may be recalled that in 2014, the Supreme Court had taken a landmark step by cancelling 214 coal block allocations made since 1993.
At that time, the Court had also directed the setting up of a special court to conduct speedy trials in criminal cases arising out of the coal block allocation scam, many of which are still pending before the designated court.
Click Here to Read More Reports on Anil Ambani
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
