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Enough evidence in coal scam case, says CBI

Earlier, on October 21, CBI had filed a "detailed and comprehensive" report before the court in the case.

Changing its stand, the CBI informed a special court here on Monday that “there is prima facie enough material on record’’ to prosecute chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla and former Coal Secretary P.C. Parakh, in connection with the allocation of coal blocks to Hindalco in violation of the rules.

Hindalco is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group.

“Special Public Prosecutor states that from the overall facts and circumstances, there is prima facie enough material on record to take cognisance of various offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code against the private parties and some of the public servants involved in the process of allocation of impugned coal blocks.

A compilation of the relevant documents has also been filed for a ready reference,’’ Special Judge Bharat Parashar said in his brief order.

Among other persons, Mr. Birla and Mr. Parakh figure as accused in the investigation report filed by the CBI in the case. Later, the judge fixed November 25 as the date for consideration of the CBI’s investigation report in the case for further proceedings.

Judge to consider CBI probe report on November 25

Special Judge Bharat Parashar heariang the coal blocks allocation case has fixed November 25 as the date for consideration of the CBI’s investigation report in the case for further proceedings.

Among other persons, chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla and former Coal Secretary P.C. Parakh figure as accused in the investigation report filed by the CBI in the case.

The investigating agency had earlier sought closure of the case. On perusal of the probe report, the Special Judge had in September pulled up the investigating agency for not filing the original of minutes of the Screening Committee, along with the final report with a plea to close the case. The Screening Committee had considered the company’s application for allocation of coal blocks to Hindalco.

The investigating agency had later filed a revised investigation report with all the documents.

The CBI had last year lodged an FIR against Mr. Parakh, Mr. Birla and others, alleging that Mr. Parakh had reversed his earlier decision not to allocate coal blocks to Hindalco without any valid basis or change of the circumstances and shown undue favour to it.

Source: The Hindu