CBI registers another case in coal scam

NEW DELHI, May 9: CBI today registered a fresh case in the coal scam against a company having operations in Mumbai and Nagpur and it owners for alleged irregularities in three coal blocks allocation between 1993 and 2005.

Immediately after registering the case against the Directors of the firm and unknown officials of the Coal Ministry, CBI carried out searches at six places in Nagpur, Yavatmal and Mumbai, official sources said.

This is the 19th FIR registered by CBI in the coal scam. This case pertains to Marki Mangli Coal Block-II, III and IV in Maharashtra.

It has been alleged that the company irregularly entered mining lease deeds in the name of a benami firm and that its request for a change of name was not approved by the Coal Ministry as there was also a change in the shareholding pattern.

It is further alleged that the company resorted to excessive mining without augmenting the capacity of its existing sponge iron plant. (PTI)