CVC to review coalgate cases probe; to call meeting with CBI

The Central Vigilance Commission will review preliminary enquiries filed by the CBI in connection with the multi-crore coal blocks allocation scam.

The anti-corruption watchdog, which exercises superintendence over CBI to oversee corruption cases, will call a meeting with agency officials involved in investigation into the coal blocks allocation scam this week, a senior CVC official said.

"We do not interfere in investigation. It is a police power. The Commission will review the stand taken and action suggested by investigating officials and supervising officials on preliminary enquiries registered by the CBI," he said.

There are 20 cases in which CBI officers have divergent views and the CVC will give its independent evaluation on these cases to Supreme Court, which is hearing matters related to coal blocks scam, the official said.

The CVC was asked by the apex court on Friday to peruse the coal blocks allocation cases in which there is a difference of opinion within CBI.

There is a different level in which a preliminary enquiry or PE can be closed. "At times there may be a difference of opinion in the cases. The CVC will review them and give its opinion to the court," he explained.

The CBI has registered 18 cases so far to probe alleged misappropriation in coal blocks allocation.

The CBI has been asked to place the documents of the 20 cases within five days before the CVC. The CVC will then file its report in four weeks time.

It is pertinent to mention that CBI had recently filed a closure report in two coal blocks allocation cases in which DIG Ravi Kant, who supervises the probe along with other two officers of the same rank, had given opinion for filing of charge sheet in them.