Ranjit Sinha (File Photo)
The CBI has admitted to the Supreme Court that a version of the report on its coal investigation, submitted to judges last month, was seen in advance by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, and bureaucrats in the Coal Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. In a two-page affidavit, CBI chief Ranjit Sinha says the report was shared with these officials "as desired by them."
(Read: Affidavit filed by CBI Director)The fallout has been immediate, with the opposition demanding the resignation of the PM. "Whatever applies to the Law Minister applies to the PM as well," said the BJP's Jaswant Singh, stressing that both are equally accountable for a major breach of ethics and protocol. (
Who said what)
Despite the embarrassing and indicting developments, the Congress said today that the Law Minister will not resign. Senior party leader Kamal Nath said it's important to see what action the Supreme Court recommends on the 30th of this month at the next hearing.
Meanwhile, Mr Kamal Nath has met senior BJP leader LK Advani and is also expected to meet Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj in an attempt, sources said to broker peace and ensure important money bills are passed in the last week of the Budget session.
Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi also called an emergency meet of senior ministers and allies including Sharad Pawar and Ajit Singh.
Sources said Ashwani Kumar met the PM today but did not offer his resignation. He too has reportedly suggested that they wait for the Supreme Court's next hearing on the matter on April 30.
Mr Kumar told NDTV, "the truth will prevail," and also claimed that the report he saw was a draft and not the final version, a defense that was dismissed by senior opposition leaders.
(Coal-gate report: have done no wrong, truth will prevail, says Law Minister)The CBI chief has not clarified whether government officials who previewed the report asked for changes, or whether these were made.
The CBI's coal investigation is sensitive for the government because for some of the years under review, the Prime Minister held direct charge of the Coal Ministry.
In the report submitted last month, the CBI indicted the government for failing to check financial and other records of private firms who applied for coal licenses, many of who allegedly misrepresented their information.