Not A Feudal Era: SC Rebukes CM Dhami For Defying Rules In Rajaji Tiger Reserve Appointment

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court severely Rebuked Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for his Appointment of an 'Indian Forest Officer' as the 'Director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.' Dhami was facing Departmental Proceedings for Allegedly Engaging in Unapproved Construction and Tree-Cutting at Corbett.

The Court stated that this is not a Feudal Era where the Chief Minister can Act like a King. "We are not living in a Feudal Era," A Court led by Justice B.R. Gavai declared. The Public Trust Doctrine is akin to this. Leaders of states cannot Assume the Role of Monarchs. Rajaji T.R, you are CM, but you are
unable to do Action when there is a clear note directing him not to be Appointed as Director.

However, the Uttarakhand Government told the Court that the decision to appoint the Officer as Director, Rajaji, had been Rescinded, and the Court Declined to Pursue the Matter further. "In that Light of the case, no Further instructions are required," the statement read. "Since the Order Posting the IFS Official Rahul (who goes by one name only) as Field Director, Rajaji has been removed, and he is currently placed as Chief Conservator Forests (Monitoring, Evaluation, IT and Modernisation).

Rahul was removed from his position as Director of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in April 2022 by the State Government, who then Attached him to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Office in Dehradun. This came about after the Uttarakhand High Court Ordered the State Government to take Action Against Officials Accountable for the Illegal felling of Trees and
Construction inside the reserve in January 2022."I requested the State Government to discharge me from the Responsibilities of Director, Rajaji Tiger Reserve," Rahul said in Response to the Court Proceedings.

Despite the fact that my transfer Order is Normal and can withstand any Judicial Scrutiny under the nation's Legal System, I fear that this process will make it difficult for me to fully fulfil my Current Assignment, which calls
for my undivided attention to the Tiger Reserve's numerous activities.

Subodh Uniyal, the Forest Minister for Uttarakhand, Stated in a statement Released on Thursday, "There have been Media Reports that the Chief Minister has Ignored the Minister, Chief Secretary, and Everyone else to Appoint the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve." It's Entirely Incorrect to say this, Together with my approval and that of the Chief Minister, this decision was made unanimously.

Author:
Aarya Kadam (News Writer) is a final-year BBA student and a creative writer with a passion for current affairs and legal Judgments.