dna journalists win prestigious Ramnath Goenka award for investigative journalism

In a major recognition for dna, two journalists have won the Ramnath Goenka award in the Investigative Reporting category for the series of investigative reports published on former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ranjit Singh. Journalists Raman Kirpal and Hakeem Irfan will be conferred the award on November 23.

The investigative reports sent ripples in India's business and political arena by unearthing the visitors entry register at Sinha's official residence 2 Janpath, thereby exposing his link with people accused in the 2G and coal scams. 

The stories unravelled the nexus between powerful corporate houses, politicians and the country’s top investigating official. On the second day of our reportage, the Supreme Court took cognisance of a PIL in the matter and issued notice to Sinha. He was later removed from 2G investigations on court orders while still in office. 

Here is a look at some of the major stories done in this series: 

Did Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) officials try to influence CBI in 2G case?

Top officials of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) met Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Ranjit Sinha at least 50 times in 15 months at his official residence – 2, Janpath. This put Sinha in a spot as he had already come under scathing attack for allegedly trying to derail the ongoing 2G trial against Reliance Telecom. 

Meat exporter Moin Qureshi met CBI chief Ranjit Sinha 90 times in 15 months

The visitors’ diary accessed by dna disclosed that Qureshi has visited 2, Janpath, the official residence of Sinha, at least 90 times in 15 months. He seemed to have been family friends with Sinha’s as Qureshi’s wife, too, has visited the CBI chief’s residence sometimes. Qureshi, a Doon school alumnus, shot into news after the Income-Tax department placed his phone under surveillance and started investigations. I-T surveillance also found out that Qureshi is a close friend of AP Singh (now, a UPSC member). Singh and Qureshi have visited Sinha’s residence on the same day, though at different times.

Why did lobbyist Deepak Talwar meet CBI chief Ranjit Sinha 63 times?

Controversial corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar, who was named in one of the CBI preliminary enquiries registered in Nira Radia tapes case, visited the official  residence of agency chief Ranjit Sinha at least 63 times in the last 15 months.The CBI had named Deepak Talwar, along with Radia and former civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar, in one of its PE’s probing the working of touts and middlemen and kickbacks in the aviation sector. 

Who is Mithlesh Kumar, and why did he clock 275 visits to 2 Janpath?

Mysterious Mithlesh Kumar visited Ranjit Sinha at least 275 times in last 15 months, almost every day, even twice or thrice in a day

dna cracks mystery of Mithilesh Kumar, who visited CBI director Ranjit Sinha 275 times

dna findings showed Mithilesh is a coal mining expert. He retired from a ‘mini ratna’ company -- Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd (CMPDIL). CMPDIL, a premier institution, located in Ranchi, provides total consultancy in coal and mineral exploration mining, engineering and allied fields.

#dnaCBIexpose: Coincidence? Ram Vilas Paswan joins NDA, meets CBI chief, hasn't been questioned in Bokaro case since

Union Minister who was under the scanner for Bokaro case, met Ranjit Sinha shortly after joining NDA. Since then, he has not been questioned at all. This was exposed by dna. 

Everything you need to know about Diarygate

The story which put the entire controversy into context. Finally, the impact of the ground-breaking journalism was felt with Ranjit Sinha was removed from the 2G case

2 Janpath Diary: Supreme Court vindicates dna's expose, removes CBI Director Ranjit Sinha from 2G case

In a huge vindication of dna's expose on the 2 Janpath diary, the Supreme Court  removed CBI Director Ranjit Sinha from the investigation into the 2G case. The apex court treated the content of the diary, which detailed as many as 50 meetings between Sinha with the representatives of 2G accused, as “credible” and directed the premier agency head to recuse himself from the case. The court, which had earlier sought identity of the whistleblower who leaked the diary details, recalled its order. The unprecedented development took place just 12 days before Sinha was to demit his office.