Coal scam: Congress MP Naveen Jindal questioned by CBI

New Delhi: Congress MP Navin Jindal, accused in the coal allocation scam, was today questioned by the CBI. However, the questioning took place at an unknown place because Mr Jindal had requested officials to be discreet and avoid tipping off the media, which was accepted.

It is rare but not entirely unusual for the investigating agency to give the accused a helping hand and save them from embarrassment in high profile cases. For instance, former air chief SP Tyagi was also given this 'courtesy'.

But some would say the steel magnate turned Congress politician has been especially fortunate. Although Mr Jindal was made an accused in June, he had evaded questioning since then. He also enjoyed a trip to London despite the CBI wanting access to his cupboards.

The CBI alleges that Mr Jindal's company Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) colluded with Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao to influence the screening committee that allotted coal blocks, by investing more than two crores. The agency has alleged that Mr Jindal's company did this in return for being allotted a mine in Jharkhand in 2008. Mr Rao too was questioned today, CBI officials said.