The CBI has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging leak of information to companies on the searches in the coal allocation scam in September last year and may soon start its probe.

The complaint in this regard was made to the Central Vigilance Commission(CVC) by Lucknow-based IPS officer and activist Amitabh Thakur.

Sources said today the CBI has take cognisance of the complaint and may soon start probe into the allegations.

Three days after the registration of the case and search operation in connection with the coal mine allocation scam, a complaint was made by Thakur to CVC which forwarded it to CBI which is probing the scam.

Nearly five months after the complaint was registered, CBI has now demanded available material from Thakur to substantiate the allegations for "urgent necessary action."

Soon after registering five FIRs in the alleged irregularities in allocation of captive coal mines by private companies on September 3, 2012, CBI carried out a massive search operation spread across 30 locations across the country which included premises of some leading mining barons.

Five companies were named in the FIR and during search operations, premises of their directors and offices were covered.

Soon after the searches were carried out, convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal had alleged at a press conference that the CBI action was an eye-wash as information was leaked to these companies before hand.

Kejriwal-led India Against Corruption had claimed that it came to know that the companies, which were raided in connection with the coal allotment scam, were "tipped off in advance so that they could destroy all evidence against them".

Following Kejriwal's press conference, Thakur had sent a complaint to CVC with a copy to the CBI Director seeking a probe into these allegations as they were serious in nature.

In his complaint dated September 7, 2012, Thakur sought suitable enquiry and appropriate action in the matter. He had demanded action against Kejriwal if the allegations were found to be unsubstantiated.