Former PM faces 'coalgate' charges

A special court on Wednesday charged former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh with corruption and criminal conspiracy for his alleged role in a multibillion dollar scandal over the sale of coal fields.

The charges, which also include breach of trust, come despite the Central Bureau of Investigation finding no prosecutable evidence against Singh or others embroiled in the case.

The court summoned the former prime minister and five others to appear on April 8 after charging Singh with criminal conspiracy, corruption and breach of trust, brushing aside the findings of the Central Bureau of Investigation.