CBI claims it was not permitted to examine ex-PM Manmohan Singh on coal scam

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar asked the agency,"Don't you think examination of the then coal minister was necessary in the matter? Don't you feel the need to examine him? Don't you think his statement was necessary to present a clear picture?"

The investigating officer (IO) told the court that officials of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) were examined during the probe in the coal blocks scam case involving top industrialist K M Birla, former coal secretary P C Parakh, and it was found that statement of the then coal minister was not necessary. He, however, clarified that the then coal minister was not permitted to be examined.

Former Prime Minister Singh was holding the portfolio of coal ministry when Birla's firm Hindalco was allocated coal blocks in Orissa's Talabira II and III in 2005.

During the hearing, the court directed CBI to file the case diary before it after which the Senior Public Prosecutor V K Sharma said the agency be allowed to file these documents in a sealed cover.

"...I deem it appropriate that let the case diary files and crime files of the present case be summoned and as per the request of Senior PP, let it be produced in the sealed cover," the judge said and posted the matter for further proceedings on November 27.