SC dismisses plea seeking PM affidavit on coal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an application seeking a direction to the Prime Minister to file an affidavit explaining allocation of coal blocks to various companies during the period he held charge of the Coal Ministry.

“Dismissed,” said the apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha as he brushed aside PIL petitioner advocate M.L. Sharma’s plea seeking directions to the Prime Minister to file the affidavit.

Dismissing the plea, the court said: “We are hearing the matter and you are reaching the conclusion.”

The apex court also asked the CBI to file a fresh status report by January 9, 2014 in the case.

The court also allowed the investigation agency to share its status report with two in-house prosecutors before their presentation in the court.

Also on Tuesday, the CBI told the court that it was yet to get two Coal Ministry files including one on minutes of the screening committee.

Meanwhile, the Centre submitted before the Supreme Court its opposition to granting of ex-officio power of secretary to the CBI Director, allowing him to directly report to Minister.