New Delhi, April 7 (IANS): Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar has recused himself from looking into the coal scam related cases being forwarded to the vigilance commission for a re-look by the CBI.

The apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha was told this by senior counsel Anil Divan Monday.

Divan told the court that now all the cases referred to the Central Vigilance Commission for vetting would be looked into by other two vigilance commissioners.

The court was told that Pradeep Kumar was recusing himself from looking at coal scam related cases as he was joint secretary in the coal ministry from January 2003 to October 2006.

Seeking the modification of its earlier order asking the CVC to look into the matter, Divan told the court that a formal application about Pradeep Kumar recusing from the task of looking into coal cases would be moved later in the day.

The apex court at the last hearing of the coal scam matter asked the CVC to look into 20 preliminary enquiries where there are differences between the investigating officers and the top brass of the CBI on their closures.