Coalscam: Complicity of new persons have come up, CBI to court

Probe agency told Special Judge Bharat Parashar that there was a need for further investigation in view of revelations made by an approver

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday told a special court that some documents and quizzing of a co-accused turned approver — Suresh Singhal, a Jindal Group chartered accountant — has brought more persons under scanner in a coal scam case in which Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal is one of the several accused.

The probe agency also told Special Judge Bharat Parashar that there was a need for further investigation in view of revelations made by an approver.

The court, which was to pronounce its order on allowing or disallowing the plea of Singhal to become approver, directed CBI to file the statements of Singhal in a sealed cover and fixed the matter for further hearing on July 11.

During the arguments on Singhal's plea, the CBI, which had earlier given its nod to make him an approver in the case, said that accused (Singhal) was not the main beneficiary and was only a part used in the money transaction.

"It's one of the most appropriate cases where further probe needs to be done. He has given several new evidences," the agency said while opposing the statements of the accused persons against Singhal's plea.

Jindal, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and 12 others are accused in the case pertaining to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd (GSIPL) in 2008.