Supreme Court Questions Uttarakhand CM on Controversial Appointment at Rajaji Tiger Reserve

The Supreme Court criticized Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami for appointing an IFS officer with a controversial past as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The officer was previously removed from Corbett Tiger Reserve over allegations of illegal tree cutting. The court emphasized the importance of the public trust doctrine.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday strongly objected to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami's decision to appoint Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Rahul as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, after the officer was removed from Corbett Tiger Reserve over allegations of illegal tree cutting.

'We are not in a feudal era, jaisa Rajaji bole waisa chale... The Chief Minister should have given reasoning. The least expected is to give an application of mind with reasons in writing when he differed from his Minister and Chief Secretary,' said a bench of Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan, emphasizing the importance of the public trust doctrine.

'There is something like public trust doctrine in this country, the heads of the public offices cannot do whatever they want when the endorsements are there that he (officer) should not be posted there, despite that, just because he is a Chief Minister, he can do anything?' said the bench. Senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, appearing for the Uttarakhand government, argued that the Chief Minister had the discretion to make such appointments and promised a detailed explanation in the next hearing.

The apex court's remarks followed a report from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which stated that the appointment did not instill confidence among stakeholders in wildlife conservation. It highlighted that disciplinary proceedings against the officer were ongoing. The CEC also noted that issues of irregularities in Corbett Tiger Reserve are still being considered by the top court and investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal claimed the decision to post Rahul as the director of Rajaji TR was unanimous, involving both him and the Chief Minister. Uniyal refuted claims that the decision bypassed other officials.

Previously, the Uttarakhand High Court directed the state government in January 2022 to act against officials involved in illegal activities at Corbett. By April 2022, the state had suspended two forest officers and removed Rahul from his post.

(With inputs from agencies.)