The Supreme Court on Monday appointed two special judges — Arun Bharadwaj and Sanjay Bansal — to continue with the trial of the Rs 1.75 lakh coal scam cases pending since 2014.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde passed the order appointing the two judges in place of judge Bharat Parashar who has dealt with the case since 2014, when the top court had appointed a probe by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate into the allegations.

Judge Parashar had earlier made a request to be relieved of the duties as a special judge since he had already completed six years in the post.
According to sources Judge Parashar is due for his elevation.

The bench also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian agreed to appoint the two special judges who will hold separate courts on the issue.

Earlier, special public prosecutor in the case and senior advocate R.S. Cheema informed the court that more than 40 cases are still pending adjudication.

Cheema suggested the top court may appoint two special judges to replace judge Parashar. There are now 41 cases on the coal scam.

The court also agreed to examine next week the plea of Cheema for his own replacement from the case

The apex court on March 15 had requested the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to provide names of five trial court judges of “high caliber and absolute integrity” for appointing one of them as the special judge to replace Parashar.