Coalgate | CBI files case against Jindal, coal MoS

The Coal scam came back to haunt the Congress-led UPA today with the CBI lodging fresh FIRs against Congress MP Naveen Jindal and former Coal MoS Dasari Narayana Rao. While the BJP despite its internal turmoil lashed out at the Congress for yet another instance of its corruption tainted regime and in this case of "monumental corruption."

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, “BJP welcomes the raids on former Coal Minister Dasari Narayana Rao and Congress MP Naveen Jindal.” Javadekar said the CBI inquiry into the case was launched on the complaints of BJP leaders and wanted the CBI to trace the money trail in this case of "monumental corruption."

 
Meanwhile the Congress reacting to these developments said, “the law will take its course.” Party spokesperson Raj Babbar speaking to reporters said, “We have always maintained that the law will take its course. We will not shield any person however big he might be.”

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde however refrained from commenting on the  CBI raids on Congress MP Naveen Jindal and former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao.

“It is their (CBI) job. I will not give my comment. It doesn't matter. Whatever position, if he (Jindal) is involved, according to law they should proceed,"

Shinde said replying to reporters' question on the action of the probe agency.

The BJP spokesperson Javadekar went onto accuse the government of covering up the case and putting pressure on the CBI, which is probing the matter. “Even though the Supreme Court is monitoring the probe, government is creating hurdles. Former Coal Secretary, whose name has come up in the case should be probed,” he said.

The CBI has alleged Jindal, the chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. also Congress MP and Dasari Narayan Rao of cheating and graft and named them as accused in the case.

The agency has accused the two Congress leaders and their their companies of alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and violating relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.