With the CBI yet to get a sanction from the Department of Atomic Energy for probe into the alleged scam in ilmenite sales at the Chavara unit of Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IRE), a PIL was filed before the Kerala High Court on Monday seeking issuing of necessary directives to launch the probe.
‘Express’ had on April 14 reported that the CBI probe into the scam remains a non-starter solely owing to the delay in getting the mandatory sanction from Department of Atomic Energy to investigate the allegations against officers of the central PSU which comes under the former. The CBI had registered the case against IRE authorities following raids conducted at the Chavara unit in October, 2011, which found that IRE had sold major portion of ilmenite to Kochi-based private firm Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Limited (CMRL) and at a lower price, when compared to the price which was charged from state-run PSU Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Chavara.
The PIL filed by lawyer Dayasindhu Sreehari seeks the court to issue directives to the CBI to investigate into the illegal distribution and allocation of the rare natural resources, even in the absence of the permission from the authority, before the relevant evidence is destroyed, altered or removed.
