News Detail

CBI today registered two fresh cases in coal blocks allocation scam against two firms in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh following a direction from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). CBI had earlier decided to close the case against these two companies but on orders from the Supreme Court, the agency had to submit all papers to the CVC which was asked by the apex court to verify the reports and whether a correct decision had been taken.

In these two cases, the CVC gave an oral order reasoning registering a case against the two firms whereas in other 12 cases, the Vigilance Commission had merely asked them to register a case without assigning any reason.

CBI will be informing the Supreme Court tomorrow and seek necessary directions in the matter when the matter comes up for hearing. In today's development, CBI alleged Ranchi-based Domco Private Limited entered into a criminal conspiracy with unnamed entities and submitted false information with dishonest intention to the authorities while applying for a captive coal block and secured allocation of 'Lalgarh (North)' coal block.

"The then Director of the said company allegedly gained pecuniary benefit of Rs seven crores by selling shares of the company on premium after the allocation of the coal block," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement and added searches were being conducted at three places at Ranchi and New Delhi. Attempts to reach the company did not yeild any results as the phone number provided by them was not functioning and emails bounced.

The second case was registered against Chhattisgarh-based company -- Vandana Vidyut Limited -- for alleged misrepresentation of facts. Without taking names, the CBI FIR also said the case also included members of 35th screening Committee which had met on 13.09.2007.

The company was approached for comments and the Private Secretary to the Managing Director of the company had assured that a comment would be issued soon. Repeated attempts, thereafter, failed. In the Vandana Vidyut case, CBI said a case on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct was regieterd against the company, its then promoter and director; then Members of 35th Screening Committee and others in the allocation of Fatehpur East Coal Block in Chhattisgarh.

The company has misrepresented on the aspect of its net worth to get coal block and the screening committee deliberately did not follow the guidelines and showed undue favour to the company, CBI alleged. With these two, CBI has now registered 22 FIRs in the coal block allocation scam.

Source-On Request