CVC likely to back CBI’s recommendations for closure of about 20 coal blocks cases

Many of the top industrial groups are likely to get a reprieve in the coal blocks allotment case with all likelihood of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) backing CBI’s recommendation for closing about 20 preliminary enquiries (PEs) filed against some top industrialists. The Apex Court a month earlier directed CVC to peruse the coal blocks allocation cases, wherein there were a difference of opinion within CBI on the closure issue and further towards this development, the superintending body over CBI has reviewed files relating to these cases and is likely to support the probe agency in its report to be filed in the apex court early next month. However, the commission is also likely to get its report evaluated by legal experts before filing it in the court next week. The apex court's directives to CVC came right after filing of two closure reports last month in coal blocks cases, in which DIG Ravi Kant, who supervises the probe along with other two officers of the same rank had given opinion for filing of charge sheets. The court then hearing coal block cases, had late last month asked Central Vigilance Commissioner and two vigilance commissioners to put out their suggestions on whether the cases could be closed or charge sheets should be filed. In total, there are about 20-22 PEs in which CBI officers, both investigating and supervising, have divergent views and currently the agency is probing at least 16 cases of alleged misappropriation in coal blocks allocation.