The premier investigating agency was pulled up by the top court over the transfer of DIG Ravi Kant who was supervising the investigation of the coal scam cases since 2012
The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its displeasure when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) transferred one of its investigating officers without its permission. The premier investigating agency was pulled up by the top court over the transfer of DIG Ravi Kant who was supervising the investigation of the coal scam cases since 2012.
In a clear violation of the court's 2013 order, it was revealed that DIG Ravi Kant who was appointed by the Supreme Court to head the investigations in the coal scam was transferred from the case on May 1. Taking exception to this move, the court said it was not passing any orders at the moment since the transfer took place almost two months ago. Though, henceforth, no officers could be moved without its explicit permission. A special bench of Justices MB Lokur, Kurian Joseph and AK Sikri reiterated its orders that no CBI officer, who is investigating the coal scam or any officials from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing former CBI director Ranjit Sinha, would be transferred without its prior permission.
Earlier this year in March, CBI counsel Senior Advocate Amarendra Sharan submitted that the probe agency wanted to change the Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) associated with the cases since their departure will ensure "better investigation". "They (DIGs) have been associated with this case since the very beginning. In our opinion, investigation will be better and more effective without them." "He is just a supervisory officer. He is not required in the case anymore. Some new DIG will come and he can take over the matter very well. There are officers who come to Delhi and then they don't want to go back even after their deputation ends. They cannot be allowed to remain associated with a case forever," Sharan had then said.
However, the court had denied this request since the investigation was pending. "What is the hurry? What can be your (CBI's) problem if the prosecutor says that his assistance is still required? We will take up your plea in April," the bench told Sharan. DIG Ravi Kant was transferred once earlier during the UPA regime, was reinstituted to head the coal scam case by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the apex court appointed four more officers to the SIT which is investigating the allegations of "power of abuse" against Sinha.
On January 23, Ranjit Sinha became the first former director to be investigated for wrongdoing by his own agency. The apex court had CBI chief Alok Verma to set up a special SIT team to probe charges against Sinha's attempt to influence the Coal Block scam case, the apex court said Verma must carry out his task with "due earnestness" against Sinha. DNA which had accessed the visitor's diary of the former CBI chief first broke the story on September 2, 2014, that top officials of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), among others met CBI director Ranjit Sinha at least 50 times in 15 months at his official residence at 2 Janpath in the Capital.
In its May 14, 2015 order, the top court had held that it was "completely inappropriate for Mr Ranjit Sinha (then CBI Director) to have met persons accused in the coal block allocation cases without the investigating officer being present or without the investigating team being present." Sharan then also informed the court that the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry against Jindal Power for over pricing.
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