As chief of CBI, Ranjit Sinha interfered in coal scam cases: Special Investigation Team

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In yet another report that may lead some to question the impartiality of CBI probes, the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team has alleged that there is enough evidence to show that former CBI chief Ranjit Sinha "interfered" with investigations into key coal scam cases in his tenure.

The SIT has analysed CBI filed chargesheets during the tenure of Ranjit Sinha and has handed over its report to the bench of Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri.

The Times of India has reported that SIT headed by former CBI special director M L Sharma has requested the court for access to the coal scam case preliminary enquiries (PEs) which were closed on Sinha's directions. Under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, the CBI chief is empowered to close a PE.

The finding is sure to raise questions whether Sinha used the powers vested in the CBI chief to interfere with the chargesheets in sensitive cases, such as the one concerning the allocation of Talabira-II coal mine to Hindalco.