CBI Charges Hindalco with Corruption in Environmental Clearances

The CBI has filed an FIR against Hindalco and T Chandini, former director of the MoEF, for alleged corruption in obtaining environmental clearances for coal mining. The investigation revealed violations of ministry guidelines and excessive coal mining at Odisha’s Talabira mine. Hindalco denies wrongdoing, citing the de-allocation of mines in 2014-15.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a first information report (FIR) against Hindalco, one of India's leading aluminium producers, accusing the company of corruption in securing environmental clearances for coal mining between 2011 and 2013.

Named in the FIR is T Chandini, a former director at the Ministry of Environment and Forests, who is alleged to have favoured Hindalco by allowing mining at Talabira-I, a critically polluted site in Odisha’s Jharsuguda, contrary to ministry guidelines.

The allegations claim that Hindalco mined excess coal and Chandini misused her position to expedite clearances. Hindalco, in its defense, mentioned the de-allocation of the mines during 2014-15 as part of a government process affecting over 100 mines.