New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today pulled up the Centre for not helping the CBI in its investigation of coal block allocations and has directed the government to file a comprehensive affidavit on all 164 allocations that are being probed in what is being called coal-gate
The court wants this affidavit to be supported by documents, records and minutes of the meetings on the issue. It has also asked for records of all 36 steering committee meetings held on allocation of coal blocks.
Examining the CBI's status report on its investigations, the court observed, "Even just reading the first three paras it seems CBI is struggling. There is nothing given to them" (
Read: What CBI's status report said)
The CBI had, on Monday, submitted its progress report on the investigation in a sealed cover. In its report, the CBI has reportedly said that while it will abide by the Supreme Court's earlier direction and not share any details of their investigation, they may have to do so in special circumstances - like in the event of seeking the government's sanction for prosecution.
This happened recently when the CBI had to explain to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs why they were summoning former Coal Secretary HC Gupta as an accused. The ministry refused to give sanction till they had details of evidence against Mr Gupta.
The court asked today why the CBI should need the government's sanction to prosecute officials and public servants, saying, "The supervision of the CBI is entrusted with the CVC. The Centre has no role. How can the CBI say government permission is needed for sanction? We need to discuss this." (
Read: Parliament will decide on CBI's autonomy, says Supreme Court)
At the last hearing, the Supreme Court had said that only the investigating officers and the CBI Director should know details of a case. The top court had taken strong exception to the fact that then Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and two government officials vetted the CBI's status report on its investigations.
The coal inquiry is especially sensitive for the government because for some of the years under scrutiny, the Prime Minister held direct charge of the Coal Ministry. That has led to the opposition demanding his resignation.
The case has been posted for hearing on July 17.