File photo: Kumara Mangalam Birla
The controversial case against industrialist Kumara Mangalam Birla and former coal secretary PC Parakh has again taken a strange turn. The Special Public Prosecutor appointed recently in the case seems to have taken a stand contrary to that of the investigating agency.
While the Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI had filed a closure report in the case, saying it didn't have enough evidence to prove conspiracy and criminal misconduct against the two, the Supreme Court-appointed RS Cheema told the court there was, "evidence against the accused to show their involvement".'
The latest twist comes after the special court of Judge Bharat Parashar had asked the agency, in its last hearing, what was its hurry in trying to close the case. The court had asked for all relevant documents in the case, so that it could come to a conclusion, and the next hearing in the case has been scheduled for November 25.
While the CBI is yet to respond to these developments, NDTV contacted Mr Cheema, who denied doing anything irregular.
"It is my duty as an officer of the court to come to my own conclusion and that conclusion differs from that of the investigating agency,'' said Mr Cheema. He said it was now up to the court to decide what should happen next.
The allegation against Mr Birla and Mr Parkah relate to why they went against the recommendations of the 25th Screening Committee that had rejected a bid by Hindalco, part of the Aditya Birla Group, for allocation of the Talabira coal block.
While Mr Parakh felt that as the chairman of the Screening Committee he had the authority to change his mind, the agency felt it should have been taken back to the committee for its recommendations.
But Mr Parakh, in later interviews, said that his decision was backed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was handling the coal portfolio.