The editorial "A wayward path" (September 2) is an apt description of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s total lack of professionalism and accountability. The filing of a preliminary enquiry by the agency against P C Parakh was not only ironic but a travesty of justice since it was Parakh as coal secretary who had made out a strong case for adopting the auction route in the allocations of coal blocks only to be overruled by his then political masters.
While booking a case of criminal conspiracy, the CBI had faulted him for reviewing an earlier policy decision on a representation from the Aditya Birla Group duly forwarded by the Prime Minister's Office to the coal ministry. This should never have been the ground for attributing criminal motive. While closing the case does vindicate Parakh's stand, it has damaged his reputation. At the same time, this has also exposed the premier agency's inability to understand and appreciate the various nuances of policy decisions. Parakh and others, now given a "clean chit", have the right to file a defamation case against the officials concerned. This is the only way to hold this all-powerful agency accountable for its irresponsible acts of omission and commission.
S K Choudhury, Bangalore
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