SC reserves verdict on SIT probe into former CBI chief's role

The Supreme Court Monday reserved its verdict on a plea by NGO Common Cause seeking SIT probe into alleged scuttling of investigations into some coal scam cases at the instance of then CBI director Ranjit Sinha.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.K.Sikri reserved the order as NGO reiterated its plea for SIT probe while the Central Bureau of Investigation and Sinha opposed it.

The CBI had in the course of the arguments told the court that the decisions on the fate of its investigations into coal scam cases were not influenced by the meetings that its then chief had with some of the accused.

It rejected the contention by the NGO that Sinha had over-ruled his subordinate officer on the fate of the investigations in coal scam cases as in majority of the cases decisions were taken "virtually unanimously".

Sinha had, while not admitting to alleged late night meetings, defended meeting some of the accused saying that it "is a part of the job of the supervisory officer to meet and know the part of the story of the accused".