The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will not be summoned in the case involving irregularities in coal block allocated to AMR Iron and Steel involving Rajya Sabha member Vijay Darda and former Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia.
The disclosure came a day after CBI admitted it had no evidence against the former PM in the coal block allotted to Jindals. But Tuesday’s statement assumed significance as it came in response to a statement by Bagrodia last week who complained that the former PM, despite playing a greater role in the allotment, was left out by CBI. Bagrodia’s senior counsel KK Venugopal even sought stay of the trial similar to the order passed in the case of Singh.
Appearing for the agency, CBI Special Public Prosecutor RS Cheema told the Bench headed by Justice Madan B lokur that the trial against Singh was stayed as he challenged the validity of Section 13(1)(d)(iii) of Prevention of Corruption Act with which he is charged. “PM’s case is a category apart,” Cheema said, pointing out that Bagrodia was charged under 13(1)(d).
On summoning Singh, CBI special prosecutor told court, “He (Singh) is not to be summoned in the case at all,” thus ending Bagrodia’s rant to make his former boss an accused with him.
