New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out searches on Friday in three sites of Hindalco Industries Ltd in connection with a probe of the Talabira 1 coal mine in Odisha allocated in 1994 to the erstwhile Indal, which was subsequently acquired by Hindalco, a company statement said.
“As is known the CBI has been investigating coal block allocations made since 1993, under the monitoring of the Supreme Court. With regard to allocation of 15% share to Hindalco in Talabira II & III coal mine, the CBI has already filed their closure report,” the statement said.
“In continuation with their investigation into 185 coal mines across industry, the CBI has now begun its investigation into Talabira I, a mine allocated in 1994 to the erstwhile Indal, which was later acquired by Hindalco. In this connection, the CBI carried out searches in three of the Company’s sites.”
“Already, the Supreme Court has cancelled the allocation of 204 coal mines to all the respective companies. The mines will be auctioned as announced by the Ministry of Coal.”
The Press Trust of India reported that the CBI carried out searches at four places—one in Mumbai and three in Sambalpur, Odisha, after a case was registered in relation to Talabira I. According to the report, coal produced by the mine had been allegedly used for fueling an existing power plant whereas it had been allocated for expanding the capacity of a new plant.
