COMMON CAUSE & ORS. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

COMMON CAUSE & ORS. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

A prima facie case has been made out for investigation into alleged abuse of authority by Sh. Ranjit Sinha, then Director CBI, in coal block allocation cases. The Special Investigation Team within CBI, led by the current Director, is appointed to look into the Committee report and other relevant documents and conduct a full investigation.

Parties
Petitioner: Common Cause & Ors.; Respondent: Union of India & Ors.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
23 January 2017
Procedural Posture
Writ Petition (civil) / Order on I.a. No. 13 of 2014 Within Writ Petition (civil) No. 463 of 2012
Outcome
Special Investigation Team appointed to investigate into the abuse of authority by former CBI Director.
Legal Topics
CBI Investigation, Coal Block Allocation Scandal, Abuse of Authority, Special Investigation Team
Constitutional Law Criminal Law Administrative Law CBI Investigation Coal Block Allocation Scandal Abuse of Authority Special Investigation Team

Case Brief

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Parties

Common Cause & Ors.

Petitioner

Union of India & Ors.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Writ Petition (civil) / Order on I.a. No. 13 of 2014 Within Writ Petition (civil) No. 463 of 2012

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether abuse of authority was committed by the then CBI Director in scuttling investigations and prosecutions in coal block allocation cases
  2. 2 Whether a Special Investigation Team should be appointed to investigate the allegations against Sh. Ranjit Sinha

Ratio Decidendi

A prima facie case has been made out for investigation into alleged abuse of authority by Sh. Ranjit Sinha, then Director CBI, in coal block allocation cases. The Special Investigation Team within CBI, led by the current Director, is appointed to look into the Committee report and other relevant documents and conduct a full investigation.

Court Disposition

Special Investigation Team appointed to investigate into the abuse of authority by former CBI Director.

Orders

  • Director CBI to lead the Special Investigation Team and take assistance of two nominated officers with intimation to Supreme Court.
  • Director CBI to take Chief Vigilance Commissioner into confidence regarding investigation.