Coalgate effect: FIR against 5 companies, raids in 10 cities

New Delhi, Sept 4: With the

block allocation scam hurting the

and the Opposition demanding PM's resignation and cancellation of some of the illegal coal blocks allotted during the UPA rule, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the matter has filed FIRs against five companies involved in discrepancies in the coal block allocation. The companies include Vimmi Iron and Steel, Nav Bharat Steel, JLD Yavatmal and AMR Iron and Steel.

FIRs have also been filed for alleged cheating and criminal conspiracy against the companies, owners of the companies and unknown officials of the Coal Ministry and state governments. The CBI is also carrying out raids in various parts of the country including Kolkata, Patna, Hyderabad, Dhanbad, Nagpur, Mumbai and Delhi. Raids are held currently in as many as 30 locations across 10 cities.

According to sources, various senior bureaucrats who were responsible for the coal block allocation during 2006-2009 are being questioned. Based on the CVC reference, the CBI has already registered a preliminary enquiry (PE). CBI officials also examined Nav Bharat Coal Fields in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand-based Vimmi Iron and Steel for alleged violation of norms. Another 10 companies are also under the scanner for benefitting from illegal coal block allocation.

As per sources, cases will be registered in batches and the first set will see as many as eight companies being booked. The CBI will also reportedly take into account the CAG report that was tabled in the Parliament that caused a massive furore.

OneIndia News