CBI files preliminary enquiry against JSPL, MoEF officials

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against unknown officials of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) and officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for alleged irregularities in granting approval for diversion of forest land for mining in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest division. The irregularities are alleged to have taken place between 2007 and 2013.

The forest is a part of the Singhbhum elephant reserve in West Singhbhum district and is considered one of the best elephant habitats in the country. The JSPL had received approval for diversion of 512.43 ha of forest land for an iron ore lease in Saranda forest division, even as JSW Steel Limited received clearance to mine iron and manganese ores on 998.7 ha land. The approvals were given by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the MoEF in early 2013.

The forest land sought to be diverted for the JSPL mine had 87,095 trees which would be affected, according to the FAC.