Ex-Coal Secy accuses CBI of 'witch hunt' against him

Former Coal Secretary PC Parakh, against whom the CBI has registered a case for allegedly favoring Hindalco in coal block at Odisha, has accused CBI Director of having acted against him to impress the Supreme Court.

Former Coal Secretary PC Parakh, against whom the CBI has registered a case for allegedly favoring Hindalco in coal block at Odisha, has accused CBI Director Ranjit Sinha of having acted against him to impress the Supreme Court and wondered why he chose not to mention Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the conspiracy because he had taken the decision in the matter.

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At the same time to be fair to the Prime Minister, he said at no time the PMO made recommendation or exerted pressure in favor of any party.

In his book 'Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths', which will be released tomorrow, Parakh has said the CBI was indulging in "witch hunting" and has brought out the problems faced by bureaucrats while serving the ministers and politicians at large and accused Sinha of having acted without "proper understanding" of the facts, rules and laws.

"Perhaps to impress the Supreme Court and the people at large of your new found freedom from the cage," Parakh has remarked in his book hinting towards the observation made by the apex court when it had termed the CBI as "caged parrot".

Reacting to the personal attack, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha told PTI that "we can reply to all the accusations point by point but since the case is being monitored by the Supreme Court, I will not say anything." He termed the book as a "typical babu book where the author has indulged in self-glorification".