Bengaluru: Days after the forest minister’s recommendation for action against Indian Forest Service (IFS) officials over denotification of HMT land near Peenya-Jalahalli, the govt Wednesday ordered the suspension of R Gokul, additional principal chief conservator of forests (APCCF). Gokul, who is currently director-general of Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), was suspended with immediate effect, pending inquiry.Gokul, along with other IFS and IAS officials, was accused of filing an interlocutory application (IA) in 2020 before the Supreme Court. The application sought denotification of 443.6 acres of forest land granted to HMT at Peenya-Jalahalli plantation without obtaining the approval of then forest minister or bringing it to the cabinet’s notice. Exercising powers under Rule 3 (1) (a) of All-India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules 1969, the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR) ordered Gokul’s suspension.In 2012, while serving as DCF Karwar, Gokul played a key role in exposing the Belekeri port iron ore scam by seizing 3.5 million tonnes of iron ore that was set to be exported illegally from Karnataka.