No Cover for Convicted Netas Express News Service New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the need for government sanction in the CBI probe on the coalgate scam. A bench headed by Justice R M Lodha asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati to respond to its query: “Why sanction of government is necessary with regard to a court-monitored investigation” “The query was in view of the categorical stand taken by the CBI before the Delhi High Court in a matter in which the CBI counsel submitted that as the investigation was directed by the court, grant of sanction for prosecution is not necessary under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act,” it said. The bench also asked the AG why there was no clarification on sanction in cases pertaining to Prevention of Corruption “when the government’s stand is that power of supervision for investigation has be en shifted from the gover nment to the CVC pursuant to a direction issued by this court in the Vineet Narain case”. When the court’s attention was drawn to the CBI plea to allow it to share probe repor ts with the government for purposes, including the need for sanction, it said “under the garb of sanction, we won’t allow the CBI to share the contents of probe report with the political executive”. The Centre was pulled up for not aiding the CBI with documents in its probe. It was also directed to file an affidavit “justifying” allocation of 164 coal blocks. Apex Court strikes down provision that saves MLAs, MPs from disqualifi cation pending appeal

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