Coalscam: CBI allowed to retain documents seized from JSPL

A special court today allowed CBI to retain documents seized during searches conducted at the premises of Jindal Steel and PowerLtd (JSPL) against which the agency has lodged a fresh FIR in connection with the coal blocks allocation scam. The order came after the agency said the seized documents would be required for the day-to-day probe in the matter which is in progress. CBI prosecutor A P Singh and the investigating officer (IO) in the case informed Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar about the searches conducted by the agency at the office premises of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and other associated offices.The court, after hearing the submissions and perusing the application, allowed the IO to retain documents but directed CBI to file all the relevant documents which have been recovered, along with the final report on completion of the investigation. "An application has been moved by IO ASP S N Khan intimating about searches conducted under Section 165 CrPC at the office premises of M/s Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and other associated offices."It has further been stated that as the documents seized during the course of search operation are required for the day-to-day investigation of the matter which is in progress, so permission may be granted to retain such documents in the malkhana of CBI," the court noted in its order. "Heard. Perused. Request is allowed. However, it is directed that upon completion of investigation all the relevant documents so recovered shall be placed on record along with the final report," the judge added. CBI had recently lodged a case of alleged cheating and corruption against Jindal Steel and Power Ltd relating to the probe into coal blocks allocated during 1993-2005 period. According to CBI, it was the 36th FIR in connection with its probe in the coal allocation scam. The case was registered against Jindal Strips Limited (now known as Jindal Steel and Power Limited) and unnamed public officials for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating under the Indian Penal Code and various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.After lodging the FIR, CBI had carried out searches at four locations in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. CBI has said that the case pertained to allocation of Gare Palma IV/1 coal block to the firm.CBI said the case was the outcome of a preliminary enquiry registered on September 26, 2012, for looking into allocation of coal blocks during the period 1993-2005. "It was alleged that 'Gare Palma IV/1' coal block was allocated to said private company for their sponge iron plant. "It is, inter-alia, alleged that the company proposed and entered into irregular mining lease covering area much beyond the coordinates stipulated by Ministry of Coal, resorted to excess coal mining and irregular regularisation of area beyond coordinates," CBI had said. The company has also been accused of indulging in "excess coal mining, sale of raw coal, sale of coal fines and middling to other than specified end-users, irregular permission for consumption of coal in expansion of kilns and other related allegations," it had said. The company had earlier said that all its actions were in keeping with the legal framework and that it complied with the law in letter and spirit.The company is already facing CBI probe for alleged cheating and misrepresentation of facts in bagging the Amarkonda Murgadangal block in Jharkhand in 2008. Company Chairman and former Congress MP Naveen Jindal has been questioned by CBI over Amarkonda Murgadangal block allocation.