NEW DELHI : Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) today told a special court that they have not yet received comments from Ministry of Coal (MoC) on a CBI report seeking closure of a coal block allocation case allegedly involving Prakash Industries Ltd (PIL) and others.
The advocate representing CVC said they have sought MoC’s comments on the issue, but the ministry has not communicated to them so far.
To this, Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said, “when you (CVC) know all the facts, then why are you asking from MoC.”
Responding to the court’s query, the counsel said, “this is a practice.” He also sought some time to file the report before the court.
“It has been submitted by the counsel that CVC has sought comments from the Ministry of Coal before submitting its view but the said comments have not been received from the MoC. The counsel seeks some more time,” the court noted in its order.
During the hearing, the court expressed displeasure over the fact that neither the concerned officer from the CVC, nor the CBI’s investigating officer (IO) were present before it.
“The concerned officer from the CVC and IO are directed to be present on the next date of hearing. Put up for December 22,” the court said.
The court had earlier asked the CVC to clarify its stand on the CBI’s closure report in the case in which an FIR was lodged on the basis of CVC’s reference.
An FIR was lodged against PIL and others in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of Chhattisgarh’s Fatehpur coal block.
The court had said the case was registered on the basis of CVC’s reference, but after completing its probe, CBI has filed a closure report saying no incriminating evidence had come on record warranting prosecution of any accused.
According to CBI, the Fatehpur coal block was allocated jointly to PIL and another firm by 35th Screening Committee.
The FIR was lodged against PIL, its three officials, some officials of the MoC and others on the charge that the firm had misrepresented its net worth while applying for the coal block.
The FIR was registered under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with 420 (cheating) of the IPC and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI had alleged in its FIR that while the company had misrepresented facts relating to its net worth, the screening committee had deliberately not followed the guidelines and showed undue favour to it. (PTI)
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