CBI and CVC locked in coal war: Agencies feud over reopening of 14 Coalgate cases

The ongoing coal scam investigation has exposed deep differences in the direction the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) think the law should take

In focus are 14 companies that are involved in the allocation of 64 coal blocks. 

The CBI thinks no case is made out; the CVC is adamantly opposed to closing these files.

In a big setback to CBI Director Ranjit Sinha, the Supreme Court has asked the CVC to look into cases that the investigating agency wants to close. 

After scrutinising the cases, CVC rejected the CBI view that Preliminary Enquiries into the allocation of 64 blocks be closed, setting the stage for a head-on collision.

The CVC recommended that the CBI must register cases against 14 companies, but CBI does not want to budge and is ready to challenge the CVC.

Incidentally, the CVC is mandated to enjoy a supervisory role over the CBI. 

With the CBI challenging the CVC, the stage is set for a face-off between the two organisations