Coalgate: SC orders govt to share files with CBI

The Supreme Court Tuesday ordered the government to ‘co-operate’ and urgently share any documents requested by the CBI as part of its investigation into how coal mining licenses were issued to private firms. The CBI had complained that the coal ministry was taking too long to locate some files sought by investigators.

Coalgate is particularly sensitive for the government because for some of the years under review, the Prime Minister had held direct charge of the coal ministry. The Supreme Court on Tuesday also once again challenged the government’s insistence on sanctioning the interrogation of senior officers.  The court said that where it monitors investigations, the government’s sign-off should not be needed, a stand the government has opposed earlier.