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Coal scam: Will file final probe report soon, CBI tells court

CBI today told a special court here that it would "shortly" file the final report of further probe conducted by it in a coal scam case after the judge pulled up the agency saying they cannot "sit over the matter".

The agency told the court that it was waiting for the "administrative approval" as well as the decision of competent authority on the issue of grant of sanction to prosecute two public servants who have been summoned as accused in the case.

CBI had approached the concerned authorities for considering granting sanction to prosecute two government servants - the then Joint Secretary of Coal Ministry K S Kropha and the then Director (Coal Allocation-I section) K C Samaria - for alleged offences punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

The case pertains to alleged misrepresentation of facts, including inflated net worth, by Madhya Pradesh-based company Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL) to acquire Thesgora-B Rudrapuri coal block in that state.

During the proceedings, the investigation officer (IO) also filed progress report of further investigation conducted in the case and informed the court that their ongoing probe was complete.

"Why you (CBI) are not filing the final report? If you are not investigating anything further, then file the final report so that the court can proceed," Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said.

After the IO told the court about administrative approval, the judge said "I am fed up of your administrative approvals. You show me the case diary of last one month."

After perusing the case diary, the court observed "what have you (CBI) done after April 22, the last date of hearing? You cannot sit over the matter."

Responding to this, the IO said, "Our investigation is complete and we are just waiting for the decision of the competent authority."

However, the judge said "my work is to supervise you (CBI) only. It is not my prerogative to ask you to file the final report."

"For how long you will wait for it? Do you know about the law on sanction," the judge said, adding, "my work is to see how you are spending your time. It is not my prerogative to order you to file the report."

source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com