The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it has no immediate plans to question the former Union Environment Minister, Jayanthi Natarajan, in the ongoing probe into the alleged diversion of forestland by two private companies for mining purposes, during her tenure.
The CBI has registered two preliminary enquiries against unknown officials of the Environment Ministry, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and JSW Steel Limited for alleged diversion of forest land for mining purposes in Jharkhand.
“Since some of the decisions were taken during her tenure, if necessary, we may approach her for clarifications,” said the CBI official.
The first enquiry pertains to allegations that unknown Ministry officials extended favours to Jindal Steel by facilitating grant of clearance for diversion of 512-hectare Saranda forest land, mainly inhabited by wild elephants, between 2007 and 2013.
The second enquiry has been instituted to investigate alleged irregularities in the grant of approval to JSW Steel in 2013 for diversion of forest land in the Ankua Reserve for mining purposes. Jindal Steel, in a statement to the media, had earlier said that the company had always cooperated with the investigative agencies.
