Coal Scam: Coal Scam: CBI closes case related to 1998 Kilhoni block allocation
New Delhi: After almost four years of investigation CBI A closure report has been filed in a case related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of Kilhoni coal block in Maharashtra. Nippon Denro Steel Limited in 1998, officials said Tuesday.
The agency had initiated a preliminary inquiry in 2012 on the instructions of the Central Vigilance Commission, where then Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit and six other then MPs had filed a complaint alleging irregularities in coal block allocation during the period 1993-2005.
Based on the findings of its investigation, the agency had deemed it appropriate to convert it into an FIR.
However, after four years of investigation, the CBI has filed a closure report before a special court on December 23, 2023 as it did not find enough evidence to file a charge sheet.
The CBI investigation revealed that the decision to make the allotment was taken in the 13th meeting of the Screening Committee on August 24, 1988. Kilhauni Block Add more blocks to NDIL in the list of blocks for captive mining.
The agency alleged that the notification issued by the Coal Ministry in this regard was “neither in line with the guidelines for coal mining by affiliated coal companies” nor in line with the allotment letter issued to NDIL.
Even the coal ministry officials did not mention the name of NDIL in the notification issued, although the coal block has been allotted to NDIL by the screening committee.
“Furthermore, Kilhoni block was not in the list of coal blocks identified for captive mining and the Apex Committee of CIL did not agree to allot this block to NDIL,” the FIR alleged.
It alleged, “The 12th Screening Committee did not agree to the allocation of Kilhoni Block, Maharashtra, to NDIL, yet the 13th Supreme Court allotted it to NDIL, even though the block was included in the list of blocks for captive mining ”
“…Information reveals that Nippon Denro Ispat Limited in collusion with unknown public servants in a criminal conspiracy defrauded the Government of India and under section 420 (cheating) read with 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and… Committed offenses punishable under the Corruption Act,” it was alleged in the FIR.
The agency had initiated a preliminary inquiry in 2012 on the instructions of the Central Vigilance Commission, where then Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit and six other then MPs had filed a complaint alleging irregularities in coal block allocation during the period 1993-2005.
Based on the findings of its investigation, the agency had deemed it appropriate to convert it into an FIR.
However, after four years of investigation, the CBI has filed a closure report before a special court on December 23, 2023 as it did not find enough evidence to file a charge sheet.
The CBI investigation revealed that the decision to make the allotment was taken in the 13th meeting of the Screening Committee on August 24, 1988. Kilhauni Block Add more blocks to NDIL in the list of blocks for captive mining.
The agency alleged that the notification issued by the Coal Ministry in this regard was “neither in line with the guidelines for coal mining by affiliated coal companies” nor in line with the allotment letter issued to NDIL.
Even the coal ministry officials did not mention the name of NDIL in the notification issued, although the coal block has been allotted to NDIL by the screening committee.
“Furthermore, Kilhoni block was not in the list of coal blocks identified for captive mining and the Apex Committee of CIL did not agree to allot this block to NDIL,” the FIR alleged.
It alleged, “The 12th Screening Committee did not agree to the allocation of Kilhoni Block, Maharashtra, to NDIL, yet the 13th Supreme Court allotted it to NDIL, even though the block was included in the list of blocks for captive mining ”
“…Information reveals that Nippon Denro Ispat Limited in collusion with unknown public servants in a criminal conspiracy defrauded the Government of India and under section 420 (cheating) read with 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and… Committed offenses punishable under the Corruption Act,” it was alleged in the FIR.
