Docs require further probe in case against Hindalco: CBI

CBI Wednesday told a special court that fresh documents recovered in a coal scam case relating to 1994 Talabira-I coal block allocation to Indal (now Hindalco, Aditya Birla group) requires further investigation.

"Intimation of searches conducted under section 165 CrPC along with copy of search list has been filed. Be taken on record.

It has been submitted that the documents so recovered are required for further investigation of the matter," Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said. This is the 38th FIR in the coal block allocation scam.

"Incriminating" document were seized by the agency when it carried out search operations at four places - one in Mumbai and three in Sambalpur, Odisha, after registering the case, CBI sources had said.

Talabira-I coal block in Odisha, with nearly 22.55 million tonnes of geological reserves, was allotted to Indal on February 25, 1994.

CBI had alleged in its FIR that the coal was used by the company in an unauthorised manner in the existing power plant whereas the allocation was done for expanding the capacity of new power plant, the sources had said.

The agency had also alleged that mining was started by the company without obtaining the mandatory permission.

The FIR was lodged against Indal (now Hindalco) and unknown public servants and others for offences punishable under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the IPC and under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Hindalco is already facing probe in the Talabira-II coal block in which CBI has recently examined former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his then Principal Secretary TKA Nair besides others.

The agency had filed a closure report in the case but the court had refused to accept it and directed the CBI to further investigate the matter.