Coal block scam: More FIRs will be filed, says CBI
CBI director Ranjit Sinha returned from an Interpol Conference in Colombia on Wednesday morning and hit the ground running soon after. His first response while speaking to Mail Today on Coalgate was: "More FIRs will be filed in the coal allocation case. We are currently examining the role of many more companies."
It is believed that at least 70 more cases are being probed by the CBI and wherever mala fide is found, FIRs will be registered. The preliminary enquiries (PEs) relate to cases encompassing periods between 1993-2005, 2006 and 2009 and to all joint ventures. Sinha also denied outright that the agency will be closing any case. "There is no question of closing any case without proper investigation. We will investigate it, we will be fair and transparent. This is a highprofile case and is being monitored stringently by the apex court," he added.
The CBI director vowed to take the case to its logical conclusion. "No one will be spared, we will present the report to the Supreme Court on the case as desired by them," he said. "I've been called names. Certain vested interests are indulging in a media campaign. But I am doing my job. We have filed FIRs in various cases and all those named will be called for questioning. If need be, we will have some additional persons being questioned," he added.
Asked if the PM will also be called for questioning, Sinha parried the question. "All those who will be required to depose will be called for questioning," he said.
However, agency sources say it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will be called for questioning, as this may lead to political upheaval. Besides, the agency doesn't see any direct complicity of the PM in the case. This is the first media interview by the CBI chief since his return.
Recently the Prime Minister had said that he wasn't above the law of the land. "If there is anything that the CBI, or for that matter, anybody wants to ask, I have nothing to hide," Singh said as he headed back from Beijing.
Sources in the agency added that it will question those named in the FIR and the decision to question anyone else related to the allocation will be taken following the first round of questioning.
Officials said every move of the agency was under intense scrutiny of the Supreme Court which is monitoring the probe.
Amicus Curiae
A day after the SC suggested T.R. Andhyarujina as the amicus curiae to assist it in explaining CBI's status reports, he expressed apprehension regarding taking up the task.
Andhyarujina said objections might be raised since he had appeared for the Centre in the case earlier. "In the early stages of the case, I had appeared for the Centre and so there could be objections. Despite this if the court requests me to become amicus curaie I have no objections," he said.
It is believed that at least 70 more cases are being probed by the CBI and wherever mala fide is found, FIRs will be registered. The preliminary enquiries (PEs) relate to cases encompassing periods between 1993-2005, 2006 and 2009 and to all joint ventures. Sinha also denied outright that the agency will be closing any case. "There is no question of closing any case without proper investigation. We will investigate it, we will be fair and transparent. This is a highprofile case and is being monitored stringently by the apex court," he added.
The CBI director vowed to take the case to its logical conclusion. "No one will be spared, we will present the report to the Supreme Court on the case as desired by them," he said. "I've been called names. Certain vested interests are indulging in a media campaign. But I am doing my job. We have filed FIRs in various cases and all those named will be called for questioning. If need be, we will have some additional persons being questioned," he added.
Asked if the PM will also be called for questioning, Sinha parried the question. "All those who will be required to depose will be called for questioning," he said.
However, agency sources say it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will be called for questioning, as this may lead to political upheaval. Besides, the agency doesn't see any direct complicity of the PM in the case. This is the first media interview by the CBI chief since his return.
Recently the Prime Minister had said that he wasn't above the law of the land. "If there is anything that the CBI, or for that matter, anybody wants to ask, I have nothing to hide," Singh said as he headed back from Beijing.
Sources in the agency added that it will question those named in the FIR and the decision to question anyone else related to the allocation will be taken following the first round of questioning.
Officials said every move of the agency was under intense scrutiny of the Supreme Court which is monitoring the probe.
Amicus Curiae
A day after the SC suggested T.R. Andhyarujina as the amicus curiae to assist it in explaining CBI's status reports, he expressed apprehension regarding taking up the task.
Andhyarujina said objections might be raised since he had appeared for the Centre in the case earlier. "In the early stages of the case, I had appeared for the Centre and so there could be objections. Despite this if the court requests me to become amicus curaie I have no objections," he said.
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