CBI files revised closure report in Hindalco coal case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a detailed and comprehensive revised final closure report before special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar in a coal block allocation scam case involving Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, former Coal Secretary PC Parakh and others on Tuesday.

"Investigating officer (IO) DSP KL Moses has filed a revised final report which is stated to be detailed and comprehensive... The final report is also in the nature of a closure report. Special public prosecutor RS Cheema seeks some time to advance arguments... Put up for November 10," the Judge said.

Moses said that as directed earlier, they are filing all documents related to the case before the court. CBI also filed certain additional documents seized during the probe. The Judge asked CBI that if he will take cognisance of the final report filed by the agency, then how it will provide the list of witnesses and documents to the court.

Cheema replied, "Now, we are taking precaution and the agency will see that each and every document is filed in the court." On September 12, the court had asked CBI what was the hurry in closing the case in which a first information report (FIR) was registered against Birla, Parakh and others. CBI had on August 28 filed a closure report in the case. The FIR, registered last October, alleged that Parakh had reversed his decision to reject coal block allocation to Hindalco within months without any valid basis or change in circumstances and shown undue favours.

The FIR relates to allocation of Talabira II and III coal blocks in 2005. CBI had booked Birla, Parakh and other officials of Hindalco under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code. CBI had alleged that during the 25th Screening Committee meeting, chaired by Parakh, applications of Hindalco and Indal Industries were rejected for mining in Talabira II and III citing valid reasons.