Coal block case: CBI submits probe report against Vijay Darda

The CBI on Monday submitted an investigation report in a court hearing a coal block allocation case involving Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda.

The report was filed before Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar, who posted the matter for July 16.

The Central Bureau of Investigation told the court it had sought information from the coal ministry regarding the status of a request for sanction to prosecute a public servant, L.S. Janoti.

Janoti, then section officer in the coal ministry, has now retired as an under secretary in the home ministry, the probe agency told the court.

However, the agency requested the court to consider the issue, saying there was no bar in taking cognizance against Janoti for his alleged role in the case as he has retired.

The agency also apprised the court that information has been received from the director (vigilance) of the coal ministry, where it was stated that the issue was pending before the ministry.

The court was hearing a coal block case involves AMR Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd.

The court had said on January 30 that former minister of state for coal Santosh Bagrodia, ex-coal secretary H.C. Gupta and then ministry section officer Janoti prima facie committed criminal misconduct and helped AMR Iron and Steel in obtaining the Bander coal block unlawfully.

The court has ordered further probe and said prior sanction of the competent authority was required to prosecute public servant for the offence punishable under the graft charges.

Vijay Darda, his son Devendra Darda, and AMR Iron and Steel director Manoj Jayaswal and the firm have been charged with criminal conspiracy, and cheating under the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

All three are out on bail.