SC nod to probe into ex-CBI chief's role in coal block scam cases

A team headed by CBI's former special director M L Sharma will inquire

The Supreme Court on Monday gave its nod to a team headed by CBI's former special director M L Sharma to inquire into allegations that meetings then agency chief Ranjit Sinha had with several coal block allocation scam accused impacted the cases' outcome.

A bench of Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A KSikri gave its go ahead to the team suggested by Sharma which was far slimmer in strength than the one he had sought earlier.

It said that Sharma would be provided with all the facilities including supporting staff, office space and transport facilities, while the team would have access to all the documents that they may require to undertake their work.

The court, however, did not take any decision on the remuneration that would be given to three officers who are retired, saying it would be decided after having an assessment of the quantum of work.

However, Sharma, in his letter, has not sought any remuneration.

In the July 20 hearing of the matter, the court was informed that Sharma has agreed to head the SIT that would investigate the allegation of alleged collusion by the former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but the paraphernalia and the supporting staff that was sought by him had come as a roadblock.

The apex court May 14 while describing the meetings that Sinha had with coal scam accused as "inappropriate" had referred the matter to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for its opinion about a further course of action in the matter.

"We are asking CVC to tell us what to do" in carrying forward the probe against Sinha, the court had said in an earlier hearing.