Day after SC rap, Dhami govt removes ‘tainted’ officer as tiger reserve director

A day after the Supreme Court rapped the Uttarakhand Government for appointing an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer against whom a disciplinary enquiry was pending as the field director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, the state government removed the officer following instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Rahul, who had been appointed as the tiger reserve director, was removed two years ago as the head of Corbett National Park after the Uttarakhand High Court took note of illegal tree felling and construction there. He had then been posted as Chief Forest Conservator Monitoring, Evaluation, IT and Modernisation. Over 6,000 trees were cut to construct buildings for eco-tourism at the Corbett National Park. The Supreme Court came down hard on Dhami for appointing the officer in disregard of the adverse reports against him.

Rahul had been appointed the director of the reserve even as the Principal Secretary and Chief Secretary had recommended to the CM to reconsider the decision, as disciplinary proceedings against the officer and CBI probe regarding illegalities at Corbett National Park were pending.