Missing coal-gate files: CBI considers filing FIR

With the case of missing files into the coal block allocation turning murkier, the CBI is mulling filing FIR on the issue for which officials of the agency and the coal ministry are likely to meet soon.

The decision to hold a meeting was taken after the coal ministry raised objection over documents which the CBI claimed to be with the ministry which denied its existence, official sources said.

After the meeting, an FIR is expected to be registered to trace the missing files for which the officials concerned will be questioned, the sources said.

Coal ministry had sent a tranche of documents along with the list of files and records. The preliminary analysis had revealed that not all files sought by the agency were provided by the ministry.

CBI is looking for crucial records related to ongoing 13 cases filed by it in connection with the coal blocks allocation scam which include the letter of Congress MP Vijay Darda recommending coal block for AMR Iron and Steel, one of the accused companies.

Last week, the CBI had listed 150 files and documents as "not received" after which coal ministry had raised objection over the existence of such documents.

In the list given to the Coal Ministry, CBI has also given a list of files which include allotments made to Tata Sponge Iron private Limited, minutes of 26th screening committee, allotment to Jharkhand Ispat Private Limited and the agenda form sent by the company to Under Secretary S K Kakkar.

The Supreme Court while hearing the case on August 29 had directed the CBI to give a list of documents, files and information, sought by it, within five days to the coal ministry which, in turn, would furnish them within two weeks.

The agency in its letter dated September 2 to Attorney General G E Vahanvati had given an exhaustive list of over 50 allocations, the files of which have not been received by it.

The apex court had directed the Coal Ministry that if any document remains untraceable, then FIRs have to be lodged by the coal ministry with the CBI within a week thereafter.

Holding that the missing documents are "vital" for the probe in the scam, the apex court directed the coal ministry to lodge complaint with the CBI if it fails to trace any document sought by the agency.

"You (Centre) cannot do like this. Your explanation that files are being searched is not reasonable. This will not help," it had said.

"Four months have passed. Have you filed an FIR for missing files. Is it an attempt to destroy the records. Truth must come out," the bench had said while taking note that the missing documents pertain to financial aspects of the allocations.