The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has examined Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Talabira-II coal block to his company Hindalco in 2005.
The CBI questioned Mr. Birla, an accused in the case, after a special court raised questions over the closure report filed by the agency and did not accept it.
Mr. Birla is said to have been examined over his meetings with the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who was holding charge of the Coal portfolio, and the then Coal Secretary, P.C. Parakh, another accused.
When contacted, the Aditya Birla Group declined to comment on the development, except to say that Mr. Birla was examined before the filing of the closure report.
The CBI has also questioned T.K.A. Nair, who was Principal Secretary to the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and B.V.R. Subramanyam, private secretary.
