The Supreme Court slammed Uttarakhand for appointing IFS officer Rahul as Rajaji Tiger Reserve Director despite orders. CJI Gavai directed a 3-month enquiry and asked the Centre to decide on PC Act sanction in 1 month.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard the matter concerning the appointment of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Rahul as the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand.
His appointment had earlier been challenged before the Court, and the Bench led by Chief Justice of India Gavai (CJI Gavai) raised strong concerns about the State’s conduct.
During the proceedings, CJI Gavai remarked that the State government went ahead with the appointment despite judicial orders.
He said,
“Appointment occurred despite Court orders; removal followed only after our intervention.”
Appearing for the government, the Solicitor General (SG) submitted that the authorities were now complying with the Court’s directions.
The SG assured the Bench,
“Actions now align with Court’s directions.”
CJI Gavai, however, highlighted a serious inconsistency. He pointed out that while the Uttarakhand government had granted prosecution sanction against several officials, officer Rahul seemed to have been treated differently, despite adverse observations from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
As the Bench recorded,
“the state granted prosecution sanction against officials but questions special treatment for Rahul, who received a posting despite adverse CEC observations.”
The State government informed the Court that the sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act had already been forwarded to the Union Government for its decision.
Finally, the Supreme Court issued clear directions. It ordered the Uttarakhand government to finish the departmental enquiry against Rahul within three months.
It further directed the Central Government to take a decision on granting prosecution sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act within one month.
With these directions, the Court made it clear that the issue would be closely monitored to ensure fairness and accountability in the handling of the case.
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