Former CEC, ex-Navy chief move SC on coalgate

New Delhi, Oct 5: Members of civil society including former CEC N Gopalaswami, ex-

chief L Ramdas and former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian yesterday approached the

seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the

scam.

They have filed a joint PIL along with other retired bureaucrats and NGO Common Cause pleading the apex court to quash the entire allocation of coal blocks to private companies made by the Centre from 1993 onwards.

"The involvement of senior ministers, public servants, different departments of Centre and state governments concerned, alleged corruption and bribery by beneficiary companies needs to be investigated."

"Considering the magnitude of investigation and the possibility of involvement of high public offices, including PMO, and the fact that CBI functions under the same very government it is supposed to investigate, a court-monitored investigation by an SIT is required to ensure proper investigation in the matter," the petition said.

The petitioners alleged that allotment of coal blocks was non-transparent, unfair manner in violation of rules and procedures.

"That investigation of CBI at the instance of CVC is partial and does not cover the full magnitude of the coal scam. The alleged conspiracy in blocking the policy of competitive bidding and the manner in which the screening committee functioned need to be investigated thoroughly, which involves senior ministers including the highest executive office of the country," the petition said.

PTI