The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a significant investigation into a forest land scam in Bokaro district, with coordinated searches conducted across 16 locations in Jharkhand and one in Bihar on April 22, 2025. This operation comes in response to allegations of fraudulent acquisition and illegal sale of protected forest land, amounting to approximately 117 acres in Bokaro's Tetulia area.
The ED's raids commenced at 7 AM, targeting various offices, including those of the divisional forest officer, circle officer, and registrar in Bokaro. In Ranchi, investigators also searched the office of Rajveer Construction Private Limited, situated in the Hari Om Tower in the Lalpur area. The agency has yet to disclose the outcomes of these searches.
The origins of this case can be traced back to a complaint lodged by a forest officer at Bokaro's Sector IV police station on March 18, 2024. Following this, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the investigation in January 2025 upon the direction of DGP Anurag Gupta. The CID's inquiry revealed substantial irregularities, including the illegal allotment of 74.38 acres of forest land to a private company by administrative officials.
According to findings from the CID, the land mafia allegedly colluded with certain personnel from Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) to tamper with land records. This manipulation created loopholes that the accused exploited for illegal transactions. The investigation indicates that the land in question had not been properly handed over to the Forest Department by BSL, which facilitated the fraudulent activities.
In addition to the searches in Jharkhand, the ED also targeted the residence and office of Vimal Agarwal, a construction company owner in Banka district, Bihar. The ED officials initiated their operations at Agarwal's office on Dam Road and his residence at Bausi Bazaar. During these searches, financial transaction documents were examined, and sources suggest that some documents were seized.
Earlier, on September 26, 2023, the GST department had already searched Agarwal's office, indicating ongoing scrutiny of his business dealings. The ED's latest actions suggest a broader investigation into the financial trails linked to the proceeds from these land transactions, as they look to identify key beneficiaries and further unravel the extent of the alleged money laundering.
As the ED continues its investigation, sources indicate that several individuals, including officials from the Forest Department and Bokaro Steel Limited, are likely to be summoned for questioning. The agency's focus on examining financial trails highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential ramifications for those involved.
This forest land scam is not just a local issue; it underscores broader concerns regarding corruption, illegal land transactions, and the exploitation of natural resources. With the ED's involvement, there is hope that justice will be served and that such fraudulent activities will be curtailed in the future.
The ongoing investigation serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safeguarding protected lands and ensuring that they are not subjected to illegal sales and acquisitions. As the situation develops, many eyes will be on the ED's next steps and the outcomes of their extensive inquiries.
