CBI's request gets a flicker of a response

Four months after it sought files and documents regarding coal block allocations, the CBI on Thursday received a response from Coal Ministry which said they were “searching” for files sought in connection with investigation into the coal scam.

The ministry response came a day after senior CBI officials cried foul and said they would explore all options to get hold of the more than 225 files sought by them.

A government panel set up to trace the files had met on July 16 and even requested Prime Minister’s Office to provide them a copy of its reference to the Coal Ministry with regard to a recommendation made by Congress MP Vijay Darda.

CBI sources said they will apprise the Supreme Court on August 27 while filing a status report on the response of the ministry, on the files sought and not received.

The ministry, in its response, has not said that the files are “missing” but that they are “searching” for them.

The CBI had requested the files on April 10 this year.

CBI is of the view that the missing files are crucial to the investigation.

The untraceable files include report of Coal India’s financial experts on the 35th screening committee meeting pertaining to allocations made in 2007 when the Prime Minister held charge of coal portfolio. The report could throw light on whether the allocation of mines was given to the deserving.