Homes raided in probe into coal concessions

Federal law enforcement officials have raided offices and homes in ten cities across India as part of an investigation into irregularities in the award of coalfield concessions to private and state companies that has sparked a political crisis.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed cases against five companies and charged a number of officials with criminal conspiracy, cheating and intention to commit a crime, CBI officials said. No arrests have yet been made, but documents have been seized.

The raids yesterday come at a critical time for prime minister Manmohan Singh’s government, which has been on the defensive since the state auditor last month questioned the lack of transparency on the issue.

The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has all but paralysed parliament with its demands for Mr Singh to quit.

The report questioned the lack of competitive bidding for coalfields potentially worth billions of dollars but did not accuse Mr Singh or other officials of corruption. Mr Singh has denied any wrongdoing.