Controversial Transfer of Forest Officer Rahul Sparks Supreme Court Rebuke

Senior Indian Forest Service officer Rahul has been removed from his position as Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, a role he took on less than a month ago. The transfer follows a Supreme Court reprimand towards Uttarakhand's Chief Minister for ignoring advice against Rahul's appointment. Previously, Rahul had been implicated in illegal activities in Corbett Tiger Reserve's core zone.

Senior Indian Forest Service officer Rahul has been dismissed as the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, a post he assumed less than a month ago. This decision follows a transfer order dated September 3, reassigning Rahul to the role of Chief Conservator of Forest, overseeing monitoring, assessment, IT, and modernisation initiatives.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for appointing Rahul despite counsel from the state forest minister and the chief secretary. The bench, led by Justice B. R. Gavai, emphasized that government heads cannot act like 'kings' in a 'feudal era.'

The state government informed the court that the order appointing Rahul as the director of the tiger reserve had been revoked on September 3. The bench, which also included Justices P. K. Mishra and K. V. Viswanathan, was reviewing Rahul's controversial appointment, given his past role as the Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve where illegal tree felling and construction had occurred.

(With inputs from agencies.)