CBI files status report on coal block allocations

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday filed a status report with the Supreme Court on the progress of its investigation into the irregularities in allocation of coal blocks.

The agency filed the status reports in a sealed cover with the apex court registry. The court is monitoring the investigation.

The status report gives the details of other FIRs filed by the CBI and the progress in the ongoing investigation in coal block allocations since the perusal of the earlier status report by the court Aug 29.

The court by its Aug 29 order had said: "CBI shall submit further report in respect of the status regarding inquiries/investigation upto Oct 18 by Oct 22."

In pursuance of the apex court order of Aug 6, the CBI had filed 14 reports compiled in one volume in respect of the status of inquiries/investigation upto Aug 25.

In the latest FIR in the coal scam, the CBI has named Aditya Birla Group chief Kumar Mangalam Bira and former coal secretary P.C. Parakh for alleged irregularities in the allocation of Talabira-II coal block in Odisha to Aditya Birla Group's Hindalco.

However, the allocation has been defended by the Prime Minister's Office as a decision based on merits.

The court will peruse the status reports Oct 29 when it would hold hearing on the coal scam.