Coal Scam: SC Panel Indicts Ex-CBI Chief Ranjit Sinha

The court pulled up CBI for its sluggish probe in the coal scam that took place during the UPA government’s tenure

The supreme court panel has found that former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha held meetings with some of the high-profile accused in the scam. (Photo: ANI screenshot)

The apex court, which is monitoring the probe into Coalgate scam, was on Tuesday informed by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the supreme court panel has found that former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha held meetings with some of the high-profile accused in the scam prima facie indicating that there was an attempt to influence the investigation.

The court also pulled up CBI for its sluggish probe in the coal scam that had taken place during the UPA government’s tenure and directed the agency to complete the investigation expeditiously.

Rohtagi, who had received an initial report of the panel for perusal on condition of maintaining its confidentiality, disclosed that he had gone through the report which has found that the visitors’ diary at Sinha’s residence was genuine.

However, he added that the correctness of entries in the visitors’ diary can only be ascertained in the court of law through evidence.

Miners work at the Gevra coal mines in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Asia’s largest opencast coal mine, November 21, 2009. (Photo: Reuters)

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Sinha, refuted the allegation saying the entries in the register or the diary were dubious or fictitious as the former CBI director was not in the national capital on many of those days.

Taking note of the submissions, a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri reserved its order for passing directions.

The court also blamed the agency for slow progress, and said:

We have been telling you (CBI) time and again to complete the investigation. Every time you say we will do it within one month. Last time, you had said that you will do it by June 30. But still you have not done it. Please do it expeditiously

During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO ‘Common Cause’, said that as per the panel, Ranjit Sinha’s visitors’ diary has been found to be genuine and it is clear that he met many coal scam accused which influenced his decisions.