CBI likely to examine UP's Chief Secretary in coal scam

NEW DELHI: CBI probing the coal block allocation scam is likely to examine as witness Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Javed Usmani in connection with clearing of files by the Prime Minister Office during 2004-07 when he was Joint Secretary.

Highly placed sources in CBI said statement of Usmani would be recorded in connection with its probe in the coal scam with focus on several files which were cleared by the PMO during 2004-07.

Usmani, an IAS officer of 1978 batch from UP cadre, was posted as Joint Secretary between July 2004 October 2007 before proceeding to his posting at World Bank.

They said the agency will need the clearance of the UP government before calling him for recording his statement in connection with coal scam.

However, they said his statement is necessary for the completion of the agency probe in the case.

The agency has already questioned senior officials of the PMO including former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, T K A Nair, presently posted as advisor to PM.

CBI has also examined two former PMO officials --Vini Mahajan and Ashish Gupta--- who were posted in the PMO between 2006 and 2009.

Mahajan, a 1987-batch IAS officer from Punjab cadre, was posted as Director with the PMO during 2006-09 and is now repatriated back to the state.

Gupta, an IPS-officer of 1989-batch from Uttar Pradesh cadre, was the vigilance officer in the PMO and has also gone back to his cadre.