Uttarakhand Accused of Shielding Former Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Amid Corruption Probe

In a major development, the Supreme Court has pulled up the Uttarakhand government for refusing to grant sanction to prosecute the former director of Corbett tiger reserve, Rahul, over illegal activities uncovered by a CBI investigation.

The top court had directed the CBI to probe the large-scale destruction caused by the felling of over 3,000 trees and unauthorized construction of tourist lodges within the Corbett reserve in March 2024. The CBI investigation named eight officials, including Rahul and two other Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, as being involved in the irregularities.

While the state granted prosecution sanction for the two lower-ranking IFS officers last month, it decided against approving action against Rahul, claiming there was "no basis" for it. Irked by this, the Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India warned that the state chief secretary will have to appear in court if the state fails to provide a clear explanation for its decision by September 17.

The court further noted that despite facing a probe, Rahul was appointed as the director of Rajaji tiger reserve last year, a decision that was later withdrawn after the court's intervention. The bench accused the state government of trying to shield the tainted official, stating, "This officer appears to be very special to you."

The CBI investigation has uncovered financial irregularities and other serious charges against Rahul, leading to the filing of a fresh charge sheet against him in July 2022. The court has expressed its displeasure over the delayed disciplinary proceedings against the former Corbett director and has made it clear that it will not tolerate any attempt to protect him.