CBI files two fresh cases over coal block allocation

The CBI Thursday registered two fresh cases against private companies based in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in its ongoing investigation into the coal block allocations from 1993 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at three places in Ranchi and New Delhi.

The agency registered the cases against the two companies based in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh) on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct.

Directors and promoters of these companies have been named in the first information report.

A CBI official said Ranchi-based company DOMCO Smokeless Fuels Pvt. Ltd. entered into a conspiracy with some unknown people and submitted false information with dishonest intention to the authorities while applying for a captive coal block and secured allocation of the Lalgarh (North) coal block.

"The director of the company allegedly gained pecuniary benefit of Rs.7 crore by selling shares of the company on premium, after the allocation of the coal block," the CBI official said.

Raipur-based company Vandana Vidyut Ltd. was booked for its alleged misrepresentation of net worth to get the Fatehpur East coal block.

"The members of the 35th screening committee and others have also been named in the FIR as they deliberately did not follow the guidelines and showed undue favour to Vandana Vidyut Ltd.," said the official.

Including these two fresh cases, the CBI has till now registered 20 FIRs and five preliminary inquiries in coal block allocation cases, out of which it has filed closure reports in four FIRs and two chargesheets.