The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to CBI to explain why it closed the Preliminary Enquiry in the Rs 30,000 crore Coal Import scam during the tenure of its controversial former boss Ranjit Sinha even when the Department of Revenue Intelligence's (DRI) was probing the matter. The Bench comprising Justices Ravindra Bhat AK Chawla also directed Union Government to respond within two weeks. The DRI filed a detailed affidavit in the Court blaming PSU Banks for not co-operating with the probe on the over-invoicing by the corporate majors n importing coal.
The Delhi High Court's order seeking explanation from CBI is going to put the agency in a tight spot. The petitioner Prashant Bhushan pointed out that CBI has only filed FIR against PSU NTPC in the coal import scam that took place during 2008 to 2010 and avoided probing major corporate involved in the over invoicing.
Bhushan also pointed out that CBI registered Preliminary Enquiry in the scam after the DRI issued notice to Adani group, which was involved in the major portion of import. But during Ranjit Sinha's tenure the probe was closed down, said Bhushan pointing out that the Apex Court is still probing Sinha's conduct for entertaining as night visitors at his official residence . The High Court has scheduled the next hearing on May 1.
Apart from Adani Group, Reliance Power and Essar Power are the major Corporates facing the DRI probe. During 2008 to 2010, these companies imported coal from Indonesia, but the DRI found that the they over invoiced their bills by routing these through shell firms in Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands and Dubai. . The inflated bills s were passed through PSU Banks including State Bank of India's foreign branches.
Bhushan also pointed out that DRI's adjudication wing has absolved the Adani Group companies from the coal import scam.