SC allows CBI to share probe findings with its prosecutors

The Supreme Court today modified an earlier order by allowing the CBI to share the probe findings in the coal scam with its in-house prosecutors who will render their assistance in preparing the status reports to be presented before it.
The apex court, which had earlier permitted the agency to share its final charge sheets with its counsel before filing them in the trial court, extended the modification in relation to status report as well.
A bench headed by Justice R M Lodha said that "fine tuning" of status report was necessary and for that purpose assistance be taken from the in-house prosecutor, excluding the officers of the Law Ministry who are on deputation with the agency.

"Having gone through the report, we are of the view that for preparation of status report CBI be permitted to have legal assistance from its prosecutors," the bench said.
It asked the agency to file next status report by January 9 next year giving details of its probe in coalgate till December 31.
The bench also allowed CBI to include one more officer in the team of 39 officials conducting probe in coal blocks allocation scam.
During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan sought a direction to the Enforcement Directorate to give details of steps taken by it after the CBI lodged 14 FIRs in the scam.

The bench, however, said it would decide at an appropriate stage after a proper application is filed on the issue.