Jamshedpur: The Ranchi headquarters of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam (JBVNL) will probe into the circumstances under which Amarnath Mishra was posted as JBVNL chief engineer-cum-general manager of Singhbhum electricity supply area.

Mishra was allegedly involved in a Rs 54-crore power scam when he was posted as assistant engineer at Tatisilwai in Ranchi and has been chargesheeted in the case, which is still sub judice.

"We are aware of his alleged involvement in a multi-crore power scam dating back to 1999 when Jharkhand was a part of Bihar. We are looking into this matter and will take a decision soon," said JBVNL managing director Rahul Purwar.

According to JBVNL insiders, when Mishra was posted as assistant engineer in the Bihar State Electricity Board, he had allegedly provided a private mini-steel unit, Aspriya Steel, additional power worth Rs 54 crore.

The matter is pending in court, but assumes significance because Mishra is scheduled to retire at the end of this month.

Kolhan Manavadhikar Sangathan, a nonprofit, on Friday shot a letter to chief minister Raghubar Das and demanded investigations into projects that were cleared or executed during the 10-month stint of Mishra in Singhbhum supply area.

"How did a chargesheeted assistant engineer get promoted to general manager? We want the power conglomerate to find out whether he (Mishra) committed irregularities here during his tenure," said A.K. Singh, secretary of the outfit.

Singh pointed out that big projects such as underground cabling, rural electrification and replacement of meters were on in the Kolhan region.

Mishra joined as chief engineer-cum-general manager of JBVNL here on September 19, 2017, and will retire on July 31. He said allegations of being involved in any scam or irregularities was common for anyone in a superior post.

"The matter is sub judice and I can't say more."