CBI registers 23rd case in coal block allocation

The CBI Thursday registered its 23rd case -- against a Madhya Pradesh-based private company -- in the ongoing probe into coal block allocations.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches in various places in Indore and Satna in Madhya Pradesh.

The agency booked Revati Cement Pvt. Ltd., its director Chinmay Palekar, and its promoters Umesh Sara and Kailash Sara in the first information report on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct.

The 36th screening committee members have also been booked in the FIR.

"It has been alleged that 36th screening committee deliberately did not follow the guidelines and showed undue favour to the company," said a CBI official.

The government officials were charged with abusing their official positions.

The agency registered the fresh case in connection with the allocation of the Thesgora-B/Rudrapuri coal block.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) said in a 2012 report that the process had cost the national exchequer a loss of Rs.1.86 trillion.

The government auditor said the allocation process was flawed and possibly fraudulent.

Including this fresh case, the CBI has till now registered 23 FIRs and five preliminary inquiries in coal allocation cases, of which it has filed closure reports in four FIRs and two chargesheets.