'Act of sabotaging' probe: CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta on missing coal block files

NEW DELHI: CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta on Monday termed reports of files related to coal block allocation going missing as an act of "sabotaging the investigations" into coal scam and asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order an impartial probe into the issue.

Quoting media reports on missing files, Dasgupta said when an investigation under the directions of the Supreme Court is taking place, missing of files "cannot be taken to be an innocent act accidentally taking place".

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, he said it gives rise to serious concern that the files have been deliberately removed "so that people in high positions do not get involved and role of the PMO does not come under shadow of suspicion. It is considered to be a calculative move to exonerate the guilty and cover up the irregularity".

He urged Singh to initiate an "effective, proper and neutral" probe into the matter to find out the people behind the act of "sabotaging the investigation" by CBI.

The opposition had raised the issue in Rajya Sabha on Monday demanding a statement from the coal minister and the Prime Minister.