Coal scam: Former Director in PMO deposes as witness in court

NEW DELHI: A senior public servant, who was a Director in the Prime Minister's Office in 2012, today told a special court conducting trial in a coal scam case that a request was received in PMO in which CBI had sought copies of files pertaining to coal block allocation scam.

Sanjay Lohia, who is now a Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, appeared before the court as a CBI witness in a case in which Delhi-based Rathi Steel and Power Limited (RSPL) and its three officials are facing trial.

"In August 2012, I was posted as Director in PMO. In July- August 2012, a request was received in PMO from CBI seeking copies of the files pertaining to coal block allocation as some preliminary enquiry was registered by CBI," he told Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar.

"The request of CBI was addressed to Joint Secretary and CVO, Ministry of Coal, who in turn had forwarded the letter to the PMO," he said.

He said that after taking approval from senior officers of PMO, he had forwarded the copies of relevant records to CBI.

Lohia was not cross-examined today by the accused as their main counsel were not available today.

During the hearing, the court also recorded the statement of witness V S Rana, a Deputy Secretary in the Home Ministry. The recording of the statement remained inconclusive and would continue tomorrow.

The court had earlier framed charges against RSPL and its three top officials - Managing Director Pradeep Rathi, CEO Udit Rathi and AGM Kushal Aggarwal, for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy.