Coal racket: Cong seeks withdrawal of petition against

The opposition Congress has demanded the withdrawal of the state govermnment's petition, filed before the Meghalaya High Court, against the Lokayukta order for a CBI probe into the alleged coal racket.

Former chief minister and leader of opposition Mukul Sangma alleged that the MDA government, backed by the BJP, has been "instrumental in delaying the process of investigation as a tactic to destroy all the evidence".

Last month, the Lokayukta had ordered a CBI probe into the scam and subsequently, the state government had filed the petition against the order.

"Our party will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the government withdraws its petition," Sangma said on Tuesday.

He also wanted to know "what prompted the state government to challenge the order of the Lokayukta before the High Court and whom they want to defend".

The purpose of having the Lokayukta is to ensure corruption-free governance, he said.

Reiterating that there is a "big cartel" operating to facilitate illegal mining and transportation of coal, Sangma said, "This cartel seems to be getting all the necessary protection which is being provided by the government by way of preventing the anti-graft body to proceed ahead with the investigation."