CBI files FIR against Ranjit Sinha in a coal scam case

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed a first investigation report (FIR) against its former chief Ranjit Sinha in the coal scam case.

CBI has filed a corruption case against Sinha for allegedly influencing the investigation into suspected irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks. The move came three months after the Supreme Court ordered CBI to initiate investigation against Sinha in the coal scam case.

"An FIR (first information report) has been filed in the matter and the agency will take the probe forward from here," said a senior CBI official, requesting anonymity.

On 23 January, a bench headed by justice Madan B. Lokur



also asked CBI to fast-track the investigation as the case was in public interest.

In 2014, the apex court had asked Sinha to "not interfere" with an investigation into the 2G spectrum allocation case. A bench headed by former chief justice H.L. Dattu said the court would not elaborate on the reasons for its decision in order "to protect the faith in the institution and the reputation of the director of the CBI".

The apex court in September 2015 appointed a team led by former CBI special director M.L. Sharma to probe if "investigations conducted by CBI have been influenced in any manner by Mr Ranjit Sinha in respect of the accused in the coal block allocation case."