Manohar Lal Sharma v. Principal Secretary And Others

Factual and Procedural Background

This order records that the court had posed two queries to the learned Attorney General, Mr Goolam E. Vahanvati, on 10-7-2013. Arguments on those queries were partly heard on 10-7-2013 and were further heard on the present date, but remained inconclusive. The order also addresses an ongoing inquiry/investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning matters relating to allocation of coal blocks and issues procedural directions connected with that investigation.

Legal Issues Presented

The opinion addresses a procedural matter and does not frame distinct legal issues.

Arguments of the Parties

The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court noted that the Attorney General’s submissions on the two queries were not concluded even after being heard over two dates, and therefore directed that the matters be listed again for consideration of those aspects on a specified future date and time.

In relation to the CBI’s ongoing inquiry/investigation into coal block allocation matters, the court reiterated an earlier clarification: any information, as well as official files and records found necessary for the inquiry/investigation, must be supplied to the CBI without delay by the concerned person. The court further directed the CBI to furnish a fresh status report for the inquiry/investigation up to 25-8-2013, to be submitted by 27-8-2013.

Holding and Implications

ORDER FOR FURTHER LISTING AND INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTIONS ISSUED.

The matters were directed to be listed for further consideration on 29-8-2013 at 2 p.m. The order imposes an obligation on concerned persons to provide the CBI with required information, files, and records without delay, and requires the CBI to submit an updated status report within the specified timeline. The order does not indicate any broader legal implications or the laying down of any new precedent.