The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned some senior executives of the Aditya Birla Group for examination in connection with a case registered against the group’s chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla, and former Coal Secretary P.C. Parakh for alleged irregularities in the allocation of Talabira-II coal blocks to Hindalco.
The agency plans to quiz Mr. Parakh, who through his recently released book, Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and other Truths , has challenged the CBI Director’s decision to register the case against him. The Prime Minister’s Office had earlier defended the coal block allocation to Hindalco, stating that the Prime Minister himself endorsed the Coal Ministry’s decision to overturn the screening committee’s recommendation and accommodate Mr. Birla’s company Hindalco. The company has denied any wrongdoing. While investigations in the case are still under way, the CBI has obtained a statement from T.K.A. Nair, Adviser to the Prime Minister.