Court Issues Notice to Political Leaders Over Coal Block Allocation Case Closure

The Rouse Avenue Court has issued notice to seven political leaders after the CBI filed a closure report on alleged coal block allocation irregularities. The court is seeking responses regarding the closure report, which found no offences by public servants or companies involved.

The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday issued a notice to seven political leaders, including Minister of State Ravneet Singh, regarding a closure report filed by the CBI on alleged irregularities in coal block allocation. Special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj set the hearing for August 20.

The leaders were notified in the CBI case against Nippon Denro Ispat Limited. The complaint, filed by seven MPs on September 5, 2012, alleged irregular coal block allocations between 1993 and 2004.

According to the court's July 10 order, the CBI's investigation found no evidence of criminal conspiracy, cheating, or abuse of an official position by any involved parties, including the now-dissolved company Nippon Denro Ispat Limited, merged with JSW Steel Limited.

On September 14, 2012, MP Sandeep Dikshit submitted another complaint, listing 24 coal blocks requiring further investigation, though the Khiloni block under scrutiny was not on his list. Dikshit emphasized the need for full investigations on coal allocations since the 1993 policy inception.

The court highlighted that Dikshit sent the complaint on behalf of other MPs, who were not in Delhi at the time. Following a reference by the Director of CVC, a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) was conducted, leading to a Regular Case (RC) registered by the CBI.

The CBI noted that the MPs' complaint generally alleged irregularities without specifics against the accused company. The court ruled that before considering the closure report, a notice must be issued to the complainants, Judge Bhardwaj stated in the order.

(With inputs from agencies.)