The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre to respond to a PIL seeking the removal of D C Garg, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Western Coalfields Ltd, on the ground that his tenure has "illegally" been extended six times without requisite approvals from the CVC.
A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Najmi Waziri issued notices to the Coal Ministry, the Central Vigilance Commissioner, CBI and Garg on the petition filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) and fixed the matter for further hearing on September 26.
The court also asked the Coal Ministry to be ready with the complete records of all the tenure extensions granted to Garg on the next date of hearing.
During the brief hearing, senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for CPIL, alleged Garg's tenure has been extended without following the due proces of law.
The PIL has sought the removal of Garg from the post of CMD of WCL by cancelling his "illegal extension" of the tenure.
"Direct a Special Investigation Team (SIT)/CBI under the monitoring of this court to investigate the entire matter including officials of the Ministry of Coal and especially the role of the Minister of Coal and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal, who acted malafidely to repeatedly extend the tenure of Shri Garg," it said.
Besides seeking disciplinary action against Garg, the plea has also sought a SIT or CBI probe into "allocation of tenders" and alleged irregularities committed by Garg.
It has been alleged that Garg's tenure has been extended "multiple times on an ad-hoc basis by the Ministry of Coal that too, without vigilance clearance which is an indispensable requirement for extension of tenure of officers," it said.
