Ex-minister under Enforcement Directorate lens in coal scam

New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal MP and former corporate affairs minister Prem Chand Gupta may soon feel the heat of the coal scam, as the Enforcement Directorate has initiated a preliminary enquiry to probe investments in the IST Steel and Power Limited allegedly through shell companies purportedly promoted by his family members.

The ED, which initiated its enquiry last week as part of its probe into the coal scam, will look into the alleged violations of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, sources said. The ED will soon seek clarifications pertaining to the share-holding pattern of the company from its senior executives, they added.

BJP leader Kirti Somaiya in a complaint to the CBI had alleged that family members of the RJD leader through a layer of companies held major shares in IST Steel and Power Limited, sources said.

The BJP leader also mentioned the name of eight companies which allegedly invested in the Bellary-based firm, that too is owned by the immediate family members of Prem Chand Gupta.