Coalgate: CBI questions Dr Manmohan Singh on Birla meet

New Delhi: The CBI, which recently examined former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in connection with its investigation of the allocation of Talabira II coal block to Hindalco in 2005, asked specific questions pertaining to his meetings with industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla a few days before the allocation of the captive coal block.

At the time of the allocation of the controversial coal block, Dr Singh was holding the coal portfolio. Sources said the former PM was also asked pointed questions related to two letters written to him by Mr Birla for Talabira coal block allocation. The CBI had examined K.M. Birla also over his meetings with the former PM.