The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to inform the Supreme Court on Monday that it has not found any irregularity in the allocation of around 60 coal blocks, and that they be taken out of its investigation’s purview.
So far, the agency has found irregularities in the allocation of 16 coal blocks and cases have been registered in this regard against the companies concerned, including AMR Iron and Steel, Jindal Steel and Power, Jharkhand Ispat, Green Infrastructure, Kamal Sponge, Pushp Steel and Birla-owned Hindalco.
The other companies against which cases are registered are BLA Industries, Castron Technologies and Castron Mining, Rathi Steel and Power Ltd, JLD Yavatmal Energy, Vini Iron and Steel Udyog, JAS Infrastructure Capital Pvt Ltd, Vikash Metals, Grace Industries and Gagan Sponge.
The CBI will submit a status report in the apex court on Monday, and all these details are likely to be included in it. The CBI is probing 195 coal block allocations.
On the issue of removing the 60 blocks from its purview, in whose allocation no irregularity was found, a senior CBI official said the agency would take a decision adhering to the directives of the Supreme Court.
The investigators claimed that they have scrutinised numerous documents and reports, including forms and documents submitted by the beneficiary companies, before giving a clean chit in the allocation of about 60 blocks. Some company officials were also asked to explain certain issues regarding allocation.
In its report, the CBI may also inform the Supreme Court that it has received almost all the relevant files related to the allocation.
A controversy has arisen over untraceable files regarding allocations.
The agency has so far not collected any evidence that shows criminality or intentional act on the part of Coal Ministry officials to withhold files from the CBI.
The agency has nearly concluded its probe in six FIRs, and a final report could soon be filed before the competent court, they said. Any charge sheet or closure report will only be filed after the Supreme Court’s directives.
