Update | Whistle-blower files ICAC complaint over alleged graft at China Resources Power

Mainland whistle-blower Li Jianjun has lodged complaints with Hong Kong's graft-busters and commercial crime investigators about alleged irregularities and corruption in a mining assets purchase by China Resources Power Holdings (CRP).

He also made fresh allegations against former CRP chairman Song Lin and officials at the Shanxi Department of Land and Resources, saying the latter played a role in granting exploration rights illicitly in two mines to the assets' seller Shanxi Jinye Coal Coking Group. The rights were subsequently transferred to Hong Kong-listed CRP.

"Song is allegedly involved in conspiring with a mainland tycoon and used illicit asset valuations to support a dodgy acquisition," Li said, adding he would submit documents, including a contract for the deal, related asset valuation reports and other information to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Song is chairman of state-backed China Resources (Holdings), parent of CRP. The retail-to-energy giant is 187th on Fortune magazine's Global 500 list this year. It reports to the central government, making Song's post equivalent to a vice-minister's.

After coming out of the ICAC's headquarters, Li said he was told to expect a response within 48 hours. He also separately lodged a complaint to the police commercial crime bureau.

An ICAC spokesman would not comment on individual cases, but said it would follow up on any complaint received.

Li, a former Shanxi investigative journalist, made the complaints on the sidelines of the first day of hearing of a lawsuit by six CRP minority shareholders. They allege that 20 former and current CRP directors failed in their fiduciary duties to protect shareholders' interest by causing CRP to buy two coal mines without valid exploration rights, and failed to cancel the deal and recover money from the seller.