SC: Heart of coal-gate report changed by CBI

The Supreme Court came down heavily on theA Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on its investigation into the coal scam. The apex court slammed the premier investigative agency as to how it could share the confidential report meant to be submitted to the court be shared with the government. The court which earlier condemned this "breach of trust" on wednesday observed that the agency is a "caged parrot that has many masters." The CBI had earlier submitted a nine-page affidavit that details three "significant changes" made by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and officials in the coal ministry and prime minister's office to the draft of its coal report. This was just two days before it was submitted in a sealed cover to the judges, implying confidentiality. The court said today that "the heart of the report was changed on the suggestion of government officials," rejecting the CBI's claim that despite the changes made by the government, the "central theme of the status reports have not changed."

The court, making a harsh observation questioned the CBI, "What business do they have to peruse the report? How on earth could you make it available when the report was to be given to court?" adding, "even if administrative superintendence is there, investigation must be left alone." The court also reprimanded the government officials, both joint secretaries, for meeting the CBI and suggesting changes in the draft report and has sought to know from the Centre if it will bring a law to "free the CBI from the clutches of the government." To the CBI the court said, "The job of CBI is not to interact with government officials but to interrogate to find the truth."