NEW DELHI: The CBI that is probing the coal block allocation scam has questioned T K A Nair, Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Private Secretary B V R Subramanyam in connection with the Talbira II coal block allocation to Hindalco.
Sources said Nair, who was earlier examined by the agency in June last year, was re-examined on the direction of special court, which expressed dissatisfaction over the probe. Subramanyam was examined for the first time by the agency as special court’s December 16 order had noted that some PMO officials were either not examined or were not properly examined by the CBI.
The investigative agency in its FIR had alleged that the company got the coal block even after being rejected by the screening committee. It was alleged that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stepped in to facilitate the allocation. However, the PMO had maintained that all the rules and procedures were followed during the allocation process.
Sources said the CBI has also examined Aditya Birla group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla in Talbira II coal block allocation to his company Hindalco in 2005. Birla, named as an accused in the case was examined after the special court raised questions over the closure report filed by the CBI, which has not been accepted. CBI officials, however, refused to comment on the latest developments and questioning.
