CBI may cite manual in its defence
The CBI is all set to mention certain sections of its manual which allow the agency to consult senior functionaries of the law ministry on certain issues in its affidavit related to the coalgate scam probe to be filed before the Supreme Court on May 6.
Sources in the agency said, “The agency’s manual clearly states that any difference of opinion between its top brass will be referred to the Attorney-General for a final opinion.”
Sources also pointed out the law ministry’s opinion is regularly sought by the CBI, but it is not bound to always accept it. There is nothing wrong in consultation with the CBI and the law ministry, sources added.
Asking the CBI to file a fresh affidavit on its probe related to the coalgate scam by May 6, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the probe agency to explain whether the law minister is entitled to seek such a confidential report from the agency. The top court also asked it to tell on whose instruction the changes were made by the CBI in the coal scam probe report, which was later submitted to the Supreme Court.
“There are several other sections in the manual which permit the CBI to consult law ministry on certain issues. The director may mention all these sections in its affidavit which will be filed before the SC on May 6,” sources said.
CBI director Ranjit Sinha on Tuesday made it clear by saying that no guidelines are required for this. “The CBI does not exist in isolation. We are part of a system (within the government) and need to consult and take opinion on certain occasions particularly in legal matters,” said Mr Sinha.
Meanwhile, the CBI, probing the coalgate scam, on Wednesday received more than 730 files related to the coal blocks allocation from the coal ministry. “The CBI has received about 730 files and folders and application forms related to the allocations from the ministry concerned,” said sources in the agency.
Post new comment