New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed former CBI DIG Ravi Kanta to resume charge of the coal scam probe. Ravi Kanta was the main investigating officer in the case. However, he had been transferred recently to the Intelligence Bureau.
Sources say that Kanta had himself sought deputation to the IB even before the coal scam probe was handed over to him. However, the then CBI chief AP Singh had turned down his request citing shortage of staff.
CBI sources said, "Ravi Kanta was not removed from the probe. He has completed his tenure on deputation and he himself wanted to go on deputation to Intelligence Bureau. Ravi Kant will be restored as probe officer. We will ask IB to send back to CBI following court order."
The SC on Wednesday lambasted the government and the CBI over the shoddy investigations and the alleged political interference in the coal scam case. Calling the CBI a caged parrot that only spoke in its master's voice, the SC, in a strong censure, called for making the investigative agency an autonomous body.
The apex court, however, was quick to add that giving unbridled powers to the CBI was not a possibility.
The SC also came down heavily on Attorney General GE Vahanvati and former Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval who had backed the former's claims that the CBI report on the coal scam had not been shared with political leaders.
Vahanvati sought to deflect charges against him saying he never sought the CBI report but was only acting on the instructions of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. Sources say that Ashwani is likely to submit his resignation by Wednesday evening.
The SC also asked how "on earth" could the joint secretaries of the PMO and the Coal Ministry be party to the meet between the CBI and the Law Minister and how could they see the CBI's report and suggest changes to it.
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