CBI to file fresh FIR in coal scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will be filing a fresh case in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks by the end of this month.

The agency might name a private company and certain former officials of the coal ministry.

CBI sources said analysis of documents received from the coal ministry had shown one more instance of alleged irregularity. The sources said a private company and some ex-officials of the coal ministry were under a scanner of the agency in connection with the alleged irregularities.

Refusing to give details of the case, as it might hamper its search operations, the sources said the agency had completed its initial  work and would register a case by the end of November.

CBI has registered 14 First Information Reports (FIRs) so far in connection with the alleged graft in allocation of coal blocks, in which AMR Iron and Steel, JLD Yavatmal Energy, Vini Iron and Steel Udyog, JAS Infrastructure Capital Pvt Ltd, Vikash Metals, Grace Industries, Gagan Sponge, Jindal Steel and Power, Rathi Steel and Power Ltd, Jharkhand Ispat, Green Infrastructure, Kamal sponge, Pushp Steel and Hindalco have been named as accused.

The Supreme Court is monitoring the probe. The court is scrutinising coal block allocation since 1993 on three PILs seeking cancellation of blocks on the ground that rules were flouted in giving away natural resources and that certain companies were favoured in this process.