The CBI on Friday registered a fresh case in the coal block allocation scam against unknown public servants and Hindalco (formerly M/s Indal). Following the registration of the case, the agency conducted searches at four places, one in Mumbai and three locations in Sambalpur (Odisha).
Allegations against Hindalco are that coal was used in unauthorized manner in the existing power plant whereas allocation was done for expanding the capacity of new power plant. Also, mining was started without mine opening permission, CBI sources said. The public servants facilitated it by not taking action against the unauthorized use despite their knowledge. Coal block under scrutiny is Talabira I in Odisha, allocated in 1994. This is the 38th FIR in coal cases. Incriminating documents have been recovered during the searches, the sources added.