Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the CBI to produce the document issued by the Union government that had led the central agency to probe against Anup Majhi alias Lala, an Asansol businessman, in a case related to illegal trading of coal.

The central government had claimed in the middle of 2020 that it had definite information about the trade of illegally mined coal. The Centre also said some traders, police officers and politicians were involved in the racket and asked the CBI to conduct a probe.

Majhi, whose name figured in the FIR filed by the CBI, moved a petition before the high court last year challenging the legality of the Centre’s decision to initiate proceedings against him without obtaining prior approval from the state government.

Majhi’s counsel claimed before the court that the coal mine in question was situated within Bengal and the central agency could not start proceedings against any person of the state without obtaining prior permission of the state government.

The lawyer also informed the judge that the state had initially directed the CBI to conduct a probe in the issue but had withdrawn its order in November 2018.

Appearing for the Centre, advocate Phiroze Edulji opposed the prayer.

After hearing both the sides, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya issued the order and fixed the matter for hearing again on January 27.

According to the CBI, Majhi is allegedly involved in illegal mining and coal theft from leasehold mines of ECL in Kunustoria and Kajora areas. Names of several ECL officials have also cropped up in the case.