Orissa HC rejects CBI probe into multi-crore coal linkage scam in Orissa

Thursday, June 30, 2011
(UNI) Orissa High Court today refused to order for a CBI probe into the alleged multi-crore subsidised linkage coal scam in the state.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice V Gopala Gowda and Mr Justice B N Mohapatra, while disposing of a PIL seeking court's direction for a CBI probe into the scam, observed that the State Vigilance Directorate should be allowed to continue its probe in the matter.

'At this stage, direction for CBI probe is not necessary,' the division bench ruled ordering the State Vigilance to conduct the enquiry.

The court also directed the Vigilance department to take appropriate coercive steps against the accused persons involved in the scam and the anti-corruption wing of the police should complete the enquiry as soon as possible.

However, petitioner Nishikanta Mishra, an advocate of the High Court, indicated that he would challenge the High Court ruling in the Supreme Court in a special leave petition (SLP).

Mr Mishra had filed the PIL in June last year in which at least seven persons, including the Director of State Vigilance, were made opposite parties.

Earlier, the vigilance sleuths had registered at least seven criminal cases against several persons including IAS officer Srikant Prusty, two officials of Orissa Small Industries Corporation (OSIC) were also arrested in connection with the scam.

State Urban Development Minister Badri Narayan Patra and School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena, who on different occasions headed the OSIC were alleged to have been involved in the corruption as irregularities were committed when they were heading the OSIC.

The incident created a furore both inside and outside the State Assembly as the opposition parties created a hue and cry over the issue and demanded resignation of these two ministers.

The High Court had granted anticipatory bails to as many as 20 officials and traders, including BJP leader and former president of Orissa Consumers’ Co-operative Federation (OCCF) Golak Mohapatra who were booked by the State vigilance directorate for their involvement in linkage coal scam.

Former Managing Director of OCCF Akhila Chandra Jena, former MD of Cuttack DIC Srikant Prusty, were among the accused who obtained the anticipatory bails.

Later the Vigilance Directorate submitted a status report in the High Court stating that at least 83 witnesses had been examined and a total of 97 documents were seized so far in all the seven criminal cases. sourced UNI, Indlawnews)