‘This is not feudal era’: Supreme Court slams Uttarakhand chief minister

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said this is not feudal era referring to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s appointing of a forest officer as director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

The appointment was made despite the officer was subject to departmental proceedings, and the senior officials’ raised apprehensions.

Justice B.R. Gavai reportedly said that chief minister could not take a decision like this, adding that ‘we are not in the feudal era when raja jaise bole waisa karein’, meaning what the kings says must be carried out.

The court was hearing a case regarding Dhami’s approval last month for appointing an Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Rahul as director of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve near Haridwar.

Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal had amended proposed IFoS transfers to include Rahul as well, according to the report.

It is however reported by The Indian Express that the file notes routed through the state’s rincipal secretary (forests) and its chief secretary sought reconsideration of the decision on July 22.

They sought reconsideration in view of the disciplinary proceedings continuing against Rahul alongside ‘the CBI probe and the case in the Supreme Court regarding illegal felling and construction work for Pakhro tiger safari inside Corbett [Tiger Reserve],’ The Indian Expressed reported.

After these illegal activities allegedly took place under his watch, Rahul was removed as Corbett director in 2022.

However, Chief Minister Dhami decided on August 8 to approve Rahul’s appointment as Rajaji director.

Justice Gavai on Wednesday pointed out that the chief minister, who had explained his decision in one line, had to give reasons for his disagreement with the bureaucrat, and the minister.

Meanwhile the court closed proceedings after Rahul’s appointment was revoked on Tuesday but considered asking Dhami to file an affidavit.