Coal scam: CBI files report, says sanction issue pending

CBI on Monday filed before a special court a report on its further probe in a coal scam case allegedly involving Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, and said the grant of sanction to try a public servant, who has since retired, was pending before the Union Coal Ministry.

The agency told the court that they had sought information from the Coal Ministry regarding the status of request sent for accord of sanction to prosecute L S <g data-gr-id="19">Janoti</g>, who has since retired as an <g data-gr-id="20">under secretary</g> in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It said Director (Vigilance) of Coal Ministry has informed the agency that the issue was pending before his ministry.

The agency told Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar that as <g data-gr-id="17">Janoti</g> has retired and the competent authority has not refused to grant sanction to prosecute him, there was no bar in taking cognisance against <g data-gr-id="18">Janoti</g> for his alleged role in the case.

The court after perusing the CBI <g data-gr-id="13">report,</g> fixed the matter for consideration on July 16.