Coalgate: CVC opposes CBI's closure reports in several cases

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has opposed closure of several Preliminary Enquiries (PEs) registered by CBI in the multi-crore coal blocks allocation scam.
CVC has submitted its findings recently to the Supreme Court in this regard, official sources said.
The apex court had on March 28 asked CVC to peruse the coal blocks allocation cases in which there was a difference of opinion within CBI on their closure.
CVC, which exercises superintendence over CBI for overseeing corruption cases, has reviewed files relating to these cases.
It had examined CBI's files on closure of 25 PEs. CVC had submitted its findings on 17 PEs to the Supreme Court on April 30 and on the remaining eight on May 9, they said.

The Commission has opposed closure of CBI PEs in a "substantial" number of cases in its reports submitted on May 9, the sources said.

Of the 17 PEs, the CVC has recommended registration of regular cases on three enquiries, they said.
There were different views between investigating and supervising officers on closure of these 25 PEs.
CBI has so far registered 19 FIRs to probe alleged corruption in coal blocks allocation.
The apex court's direction to CVC had come following filing of two closure reports in March by the agency with regard to coal blocks cases. CBI's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ravi Kant, who supervises the coal blocks allocation- related probe, had favoured filing of charge sheets in them.

The court, while hearing coal block cases, had in late March asked CVC-- comprising Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners--to give their suggestions whether the cases can be closed or CBI can go ahead with the filing of charge sheets.
Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar has sought to recuse himself from handling the cases of coal blocks allocation scam, saying he was once working with the Coal Ministry.
CBI had last month filed closure reports in two coal cases related to JLD Yavatmal Energy and JAS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd on the ground of lack of evidence of criminal conspiracy or cheating against them.

CBI is probing alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to central and state public sector undertakings and private companies.