No sanction to prosecute official in coal case : CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday told a court it has not received any reply from the government regarding sanction to prosecute one official in a coal block case.

The case involves AMR Iron and Steel Pvt. Ltd.

The CBI told Special Judge Bharat Parashar that L.S. Janoti, the Section Officer, for whom sanction was sought from the competent authority, has since superannuated.

The probe agency added that a letter has been sent to joint secretary, ministry of coal to ascertain the status of the CBI request for sanction to prosecute L.S. Janoti but no reply has yet been received.

The CBI sought some time to collect information in this regard.

The court then posted the matter for June 29.

The court on January 30 said that former minister of state for coal Santosh Bagrodia, ex-coal secretary H.C. Gupta and ministry section officer L.S. Janoti prima facie committed criminal misconduct and helped AMR Iron and Steel in obtaining 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 director of AMR Iron and Steel Manoj Jayaswal and the firm are 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.