CBI yet to zero in on evidence against coal ministry babus

NEW DELHI: Even after 18 months of inquiries, CBI is yet to zero in on any evidence against public servants who were part of a screening committee which cleared the allocation of coal blocks to Nav Bharat Power Pvt Ltd, the company accused by the agency of cheating in its first charge sheet in the coal scam.

CBI in its charge sheet today, largely based on the facts mentioned in its FIR, has kept the investigation against public servants open, indicating that it has failed to conclusively establish their role in allowing the allocation.

The company allegedly misrepresented facts and inflated its net worth in order to become eligible for the Rampia and Dip Rampia coal blocks, which were allocated to it in 2008 after the same was cleared by the 35th screening committee.

"Inquiry also revealed that officials of Ministry of Coal, in pursuance of the criminal conspiracy, wilfully and purposefully, did not scrutinise the aforesaid documents regarding the false claims/concealment of facts by Nav Bharat Power Pvt Ltd and thus facilitated the company in getting undue advantage in the allocation of the Rampia and Dip Side of Rampia Coal blocks," CBI has alleged in its FIR.

The agency questioned the then Screening Committee Chief HC Gupta, the former coal secretary and other members of the committee in this regard, but failed to get any conclusive evidence as to why the panel had not properly scrutinised the inflated net-worth given by the company.

When asked why had CBI, which gave detailed information on alleged misrepresentation made by the company in its FIR, failed to establish allegations against coal ministry officials, agency spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said that the investigation was still open.