The CBI is likely to reopen investigation in 12 cases in the coal block allocation scam following the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission. The CVC had supplied a list of the 12 cases to the CBI following the Supreme Court ruling on July 8 asking the CBI Director to act in accordance with the CVC report.
Sources in the CBI said, "A total of 12 cases have been recommended by CVC for reopening. In all these cases, the CVC concurred with the view of the investigating officer recommended for registration of regular case." With the coal block case listed in Supreme Court for hearing on Friday, the agency is expected to apprise the bench headed by Chief Justice RM lodha on the status of cases already under investigation and those where chargesheets have to be filed.
On the previous date of hearing, the Court, having gone through The report of the two Vigilance Commissioners presented in sealed cover, said, "The two reports (of April 9 and July 2) as far as on certain cases have agreed with the recommendation of the Chief Investigation Officer/Special SP who had recommended registration of regular case (RC) under relevant provisions of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act."
The bench further directed the CBI that in future all cases where investigation is complete and an opinion is formed by the agency to file "closure report", the file will necessarily have to be sent to the Vigilance Commissioners, who will give their report to the Court. So far the CBI had forwarded 45 cases for opinion of the Vigilance Commissioners due to difference of opinion between the IO who supported filing of a case but was overruled by superior officers on the ground that the evidence collected did not establish "criminality".
Out of 168 allocations contained in the PE, investigations were complete with regard to 166 allocations, based on which 14 RCs were registered, CBI had informed the Court. It was also decided to file closure report in four cases.