In what is seen as a major blow to Opposition Congress, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was reportedly quizzed by CBI in connection with the allocation of the Talabira II coal block in Orissa to Hindalco in 2005, when he also held the coal portfolio. This was in pursuance of the court’s December 16 order.
CBI had received a wrap on its knuckles as Special Judge Bharat Parashar had refused to accept the closure report in the case observing that it would be “appropriate” that the then Coal Minister (Singh) be “first examined” regarding various aspects of the matter.
According to reports, a team of CBI officials “examined” the former Prime Minister at his residence two days ago ahead of the filing of status report before a special CBI court by January 27. But neither Manmohan nor the investigating agency was willing to confirm it. When contacted, CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad refused to confirm or deny the development while an aide of the former Prime Minister denied it.
Reports said Singh was examined about the developments which took place in the Ministry of Coal as well as the PMO after industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla had written two letters dated May 7, 2005 and June 17, 2005 to the then PM requesting for allocation of Talabira-II coal block to Hindalco.
Recent Random Post:
