CBI files fresh FIR in coal block allocation scandal

The CBI on Monday registered its 10th FIR in the coal block allocation scam, naming Jharkhand Ispat Private Ltd, its chairman RS Rungta and managing director RC Rungta as accused in the case.

The CBI on Monday registered its 10th FIR in the coal block allocation scam, naming Jharkhand Ispat Private Ltd, its chairman RS Rungta and managing director RC Rungta as accused in the case.

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The CBI has charged the company and its directors for making false claims in the application form for Pakri Barwadi West and Gondal Para coal blocks. The company in its application form submitted in January 2006 had claimed that it had three operational steel plants whereas the actual number was only one. It is also alleged that the company claimed that it has 80 acres of land whereas the actual land was just 30 acre which did not even had a clear title.

According to sources, the agency carried out searches at 11 locations - Ghaziabad, Delhi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Ranchi, Varanasi and Kolkata after filing the FIR. The premises searched included offices of the company and residential and official premises of its directors. Jharkhand Ispat was allotted North Dhadu coal block on January 13, 2006 for its plant.

The agency has registered two more PEs -one with regard to allocation between 1993 and 2004 and second in connection with allocation to by state governments to joint venture companies involving PSUs and private parties.