The Central Bureau of Investigation has been pooling resources to initiate an enquiry into the alleged irregularities in the use of coal blocks allocated to private companies between 2006 and 2009.
The agency has contacted the Coal Ministry, seeking details of the companies which were allotted the coal blocks. “As part of the process, a team comprising investigators familiar with such cases has to be formed. We also have experts for financial matters, who would also be involved if necessary,” said a CBI official. The CBI is in the process of collecting the relevant facts, which will be subsequently examined and verified to ascertain if the case is made out.
The CBI probe would focus primarily on the alleged irregularities in the use of coal blocks, involving allegations of non-use and making huge profits by re-selling the coal blocks.
In some cases, it has been alleged that companies that were allotted coal blocks were taken over and their directors changed without following set procedures.
The agency last week instituted a “preliminary enquiry” into the allegations made through the complaints forwarded by the Central Vigilance Commission. The complaints were made by BJP MPs, Prakash Javadekar and Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.
