Manmohan Singh coal block case legal resolution

On 29 July 2026, the Supreme Court of India accepted closure reports from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the Talabira-II coal block allocation case. This decision set aside a 2015 Special Court order that had summoned former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as an accused. The court noted that the proceedings had become infructuous following Singh’s death in December 2024 and found no cogent reasons to reject the CBI’s findings. The ruling effectively closed all criminal proceedings against Singh and other co-accused individuals, including industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Following the ruling, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi defended Singh’s legacy, describing him as a “quiet, gentle, but most consequential prime minister.” Writing in The Indian Express, Gandhi stated the court’s decision vindicated Singh against a “witch-hunt” involving the bureaucracy, media, and political opponents. She criticized the lower court for previously rejecting the CBI’s closure reports without compelling reasons.

Gandhi further criticized the current administration under Narendra Modi, alleging the “gross misuse” of investigative agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI, to exert political pressure. She claimed that opposition leaders are often coerced into joining the BJP or rewarded with ministerial positions to avoid prosecution. Additionally, Gandhi highlighted the economic achievements of the UPA government, including high GDP growth and poverty reduction, while recalling past disparaging remarks made by Prime Minister Modi against Singh in Parliament.