The CBI has questioned the Coal Ministry staff in connection with the ‘missing files’ pertaining to allocation of coal blocks. Currently a CBI investigation is on into the coal scam, for which it demanded the files from the ministry, only to be told that they were found missing.
The CBI is in the process of questioning all officers who handled the relevant files. CBI sources said that government departments have a process whereby there is a record of “which file has passed through what tables and this data may help in tracing the files.”
Though, the sources were mum on detailing the interrogation. The CBI hasn’t registered a case in connection with the missing files, but is conducting a preliminary enquiry.
Over the past few months, the CBI is facing hurdles in accessing files pertaining to coal block allocations made to joint venture companies and private companies from 2006 to 2009 in connection with which the agency has filed 13 cases. The agency is yet to receive some files pertaining to coal block allocations made from 1993 to 2005 but the CBI has not filed any case regarding coal block allocations made from 1993 to 2005.