CVC to CBI: Probe coal block allocations since 1993

NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilence Commission on Monday asked the CBI to probe all coal block allocations since 1993, PTI reported.

Earlier, The CBI on Saturday registered two new cases against two private companies, their directors and other public servants in the coal block allocation case and conducted raids in seven cities across the country.

The agency, which has been already probing the case, has charged Vikash Metals and Powers Limited and Grace Industries with alleged misrepresentation of their net worth and joint ventures to illegally get coal blocks, CBI sources said.

The agency also conducted raids at the offices and residence of the accused persons in seven cities - Nagpur, Chanderpur (Maharashtra), Kolkata, Asansole, Purulia (West Bengal) and Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh).

The managing directors of these companies and some unknown government officials have been charged with cheating, and criminal conspiracy as well under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the sources added.

One of the cases was against the Kolkata-based Vikash Metal & Power Ltd, and its directors Vimal Patni, Vikash Patni, Anand Patni, Virender Kumar Jain, Kailash Chander Jain, Vijay Kumar Jain and Anand Malick, who is authorized signatory for the company along with others.

Nagpur-based Grace Industries Ltd and its directors Mukesh Gupta and Seema Gupta along with unknown public servants and other unknown persons were booked in second case.

"Promoters of one company are alleged to have sold their stakes after allocation of coal blocks," said CBI sources.

CBI had earlier registered five cases and conducted searches at 30 locations on Sep 4.

A preliminary enquiry to examine the irregularities, if any, in the allocation of coal blocks by ministry of coal during the period 2006-2009 was registered on a reference from Central Vigilance Commission ( CVC), in June this year.

(With inputs from IANS)