CBI to file 14 new cases in coal scam

CBI has decided to file 14 new cases related to the coal block allocation scam after Central Vigilance Commission rejected the agency's recommendation to close probe in them.
Highly placed sources said CBI has recommended closure investigations in the allocation of 64 blocks out of over 200 blocks under probe as it failed to find evidence of any criminality or quid pro quo in the allocation of these blocks.
However, they said, in some of these instances there were difference of opinion between the investigating officers who said that a case may be made out and senior officers who over- ruled their recommendation and directed closure of the probe.

Taking cognisance of these difference of opinion, CVC has recommended that cases can be registered in 14 allocations which have been recommended for closure.
The court, while hearing coal block cases, had in late March asked the CVC to give its suggestions whether the cases can be closed or charge sheets can be filed in these cases.
CBI was accused by an NGO Common Cause that the probe in the scam was not moving fairly and there were instances that without seeking opinion of the Central Vigilance Commission, the agency was filing closure reports in regular cases.

The bench had also taken note that there are cases in which senior officials of CBI have overruled investigating officers after the preliminary enquiry on the issue of filing the regular cases and charge sheets.

The agency had registered a total of three preliminary enquiries related to coal scam allocations between 2006 and 2009, allocations between 1993 and 2004, and projects given under the government dispensation scheme. There are two other preliminary enquiries which are related to missing files.
The agency has registered 19 FIRs, arising out of these enquiries.