Coal block scam: File chargesheets by March 28, SC tells CBI

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) 12 more days to file chargesheets in the coal block allocation scam, after the investigative agency had sought more time. The court said CBI should take action before March 28, when the case would be heard again.

The investigative agency wanted four weeks, arguing some more investigation has to be carried out in the case. If the probe was hurried, it would be "botched up", CBI counsel said. He wanted time till April 10, which would have clashed with the election programme.

Common Cause counsel Prashant Bhushan objected to such a long adjournment, alleging CBI wanted to take it beyond the polls. He said six chargesheets were ready, according to CBI itself.

The Bench, headed by Justice R M Lodha, persuaded CBI to file chargesheets early, observing if the investigating agency wanted, they could do it faster. The CBI should be interested in finishing off the whole work and take it to the logical conclusion, it said. Earlier, the court heard counsel for the Central Vigilance Commission, the CBI, activist Vineet Narain and Prashant Bhushan on the question of insulating the investigating agency from governmental interference. CVC stated it would abide by whatever the court directed it to do.

CBI wanted protection from interference but differed on the nuances of the law. Bhushan was not satisfied with the proposals moved by CBI, alleging that the administrative power at the top is still being used to scotch all the good work done below by investigating officers. Even if there was prima facie evidence, the case is closed by the top officers. The government wanted access to documents and income tax records from Hindalco, which is one of the companies being probed in the scandal.

According to Bhushan, the raid on the premises had yielded diaries and records of cash payments to politicians. Therefore, all these information should come out in the public. The court asked CBI to respond to the request by March 28.