The Supreme Court on Monday set in motion inquiry against former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha to know whether the alleged meetings he held with the accused in the coal scam actually influenced the probe in the pending cases.
The enquiry panel will be headed by former CBI Special Director Ml Sharma and comprise three other retired officials. The report will be submitted to Court in three months following which the Court will decide the remuneration to be given to each member of the panel.
The order was passed on Monday by a special Bench of Justices Madan B lokur, Kurian Joseph and AK Sikri after the final list of members and the requirements they would need was submitted in Court by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.
Sharma, who will head the panel, was present in Court. The Bench approved the list supplied by the former CBI official for three retired officials and stenographers who are currently working with the Government. The Court asked A-G to make all necessary arrangements for the stay and working of the panel, which assured that the report will be ready in three months.
The Court asked the CBI to extend all necessary help to the panel and entrusted the panel with powers to demand documents, summon and question the former CBI chief and other accused in the coal scam for recording statement.
The counsel for Sinha expressed reservations that the order gave the impression that he has accepted the fact he met the accused, which is not true. In the present case, no affidavit has been filed by Sinha yet. His counsel argued that he disputed the veracity of the visitor logbook produced as an evidence to claim he met the coal scam accused at his residence. The Bench said that Sinha can personally appear before the panel and record his statement stating his defence. The matter has been fixed for November 16.