New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started a fresh inquiry against unknown officials of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. (JSPL) for alleged diversion of forest land in Jharkhand for mining purpose in collusion with environment ministry officials.

CBI sources said the inquiry has been initiated against unknown officials of JSPL and environment ministry for alleged irregularities in diversion of Saranda forest land in Jharkhand between 2007-13.

They said nearly 512.43 hectares of ecologically-sensitive Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand were diverted for Ghatkuri iron ore mining lease project in favour of JSPL. They said there were glaring irregularities in the allocation process as the environment ministry changed its position number of times before it was allocated in 2013.

According to the sources, the preliminary enquiry was registered after the irregularities surfaced during the examination of documents recovered during the probe of other FIRs registered against the group.

A JSPL spokesperson said: “We have only come to know of the preliminary enquiry through media reports. JSPL reiterates that we have always co-operated with the investigative agencies and will respond when we receive these queries from the investigative authorities."

The agency has recently registered an FIR against the group in coal scam for alleged irregularities in the operations of Gare Palma IV/1 coal block allocated to JSPL. PTI

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