Coal news and updates

CVC opposes CBI’s closure reports in several coal scam probes

Vigilance Commission examined CBI files on closure of 25 preliminary enquiries

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has opposed the closure of several preliminary enquiries registered by the CBI in the multi-crore coal block allocation scam.

The CVC had recently submitted its findings in this regard to the Supreme Court, official sources said.

The apex court had on March 28 asked the CVC to peruse coal block allocation cases in which there was a difference of opinion within the CBI on closure.

The CVC, which exercises superintendence over the CBI in corruption cases, has reviewed files relating to these cases.

It had examined CBI files on closure of 25 preliminary enquiries.

The CVC had submitted its findings on 17 enquiries to the Supreme Court on April 30 and on the remaining eight on May 9, the sources said.
Closure opposed

The Commission has opposed closure of the CBI enquries in a “substantial” number of cases in its report submitted on May 9, the sources said.

Of the 17 preliminary enquiries, the CVC has recommended registration of regular cases in three, they said.

There were different views between investigating and supervising officers on closure of the 25 enquiries.

The CBI has so far registered 19 FIRs to probe alleged corruption in coal block allocations.

The apex court’s direction to the CVC had come following filing of two closure reports in March by the agency with regard to coal blocks cases. CBI Deputy Inspector General Ravi Kant, who supervises the coal block allocation probe, had favoured filing of chargesheets.

The court, while hearing the cases, had in late March asked the CVC — comprising the Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners — to recommend whether the cases should be closed or the CBI should file chargesheets.

Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar has sought to recuse himself from handling the coal block allocation cases, saying he was once working with the Coal Ministry.

The CBI had last month filed closure reports in two coal cases related to JLD Yavatmal Energy and JAS Infrastructure on the ground of lack of evidence of criminal conspiracy or cheating against them.

The CBI is probing alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to central and state public sector

Source: PTI