Coal scam: CBI registers two new cases against private cos

New Delhi: CBI today registered two fresh cases against two private companies in its ongoing probe into the coal block allocation scam and carried out searches at seven locations across the country.

The probe agency has charged Grace Industries and Vikash Metals and Powers Limited for alleged misrepresentation of their net worth and joint venture to illegally get coal blocks, CBI sources said.

The sources said raids are being carried out at seven locations in Kolkata, Nagpur, Purulia and few other places.

The Managing Directors of these companies and unknown government officials have been charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy and under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, they said.

Earlier, the CBI had registered five cases this month in this connection.

The cases were registered against AMR Iron & Steel Private Ltd, JLD Yavatmal Energy Ltd, Navbharat Power Private Limited, Vini Iron & Steel Udyog Ltd and JAS Infrastructure Capital Private Ltd.

In Nagpur, a CBI team from Delhi conducted searches at the Gupta Metalics’ office on Bhandara road and at a residential premises in Dhantoli, both belonging to Mukesh Gupta.

Gupta’s firm had been allocated coal block in Lohara in Chandrapur district, which was allegedly sold off to Sun Vijay company in an illegal transaction, CBI sources said.

CBI team also searched the house of his younger brother Padmesh Gupta in Civil Lines area.

An office of Mukesh’s firm at Chandrapur was also searched, sources added.