SC notice to CBI, ED on probe plea against Hindalco, Sasan plant

New Delhi, July 6:  The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the plea by NGO Common Cause seeking a probe into alleged “hawala transactions, money laundering and bribery” for allocation of Talabira II coal block to Kumar Manglam Birla-owned Hindalco. The court also issued notice on a plea for investigation into permission granted for diversion of coal from the captive coal block allocated to Sasan UMPP that was adversely commented upon by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice A.K.Sikri, hearing cases rooted in the coal block allocation scam, issued notice after counsel Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said no probe was undertaken despite Income Tax department saying that Hindalco allegedly paid Rs.200 crore to various people for securing interest in Talabira coal block. (IANS)