The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the Uttarakhand government for refusing sanction to prosecute former Corbett Tiger Reserve director Rahul in the alleged illegalities surrounding the Pakhro tiger safari project. The apex court warned that if the state does not come clear on its stand by next week, the Chief Secretary will be required to appear in person.
In March 2024, the top court had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe large-scale violations in Corbett, including the illegal felling of over 3,000 trees and unauthorised construction. The CBI later charge-sheeted eight officials, with Rahul being the senior-most among them. Two divisional forest officers (DFOs), Akhilesh Tiwari and Kishan Chand, were also named.
Last month, Uttarakhand granted sanction to prosecute the DFOs but denied sanction in Rahul’s case, stating that its Legal Department found “no basis” for prosecution. Taking exception, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, heading the bench with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and A.S. Chandurkar, remarked: “It is clear you are trying to protect this officer. You come clear on this decision by September 17, or else you are in big trouble.”
Amicus curiae K. Parmeshwar highlighted that despite facing serious allegations at Corbett, Rahul was appointed director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve in 2023 on the chief minister’s recommendation, ignoring objections raised by the forest minister and chief secretary. The court observed: “This officer appears to be very special to you… If somebody is trying to shield him, we will not be shy in getting your highest person to this court.”
Although the Supreme Court had earlier directed an in-house enquiry to be completed within three months, disciplinary proceedings were delayed. Advocate Abhishek Attrey, representing the state, submitted that a fresh charge sheet was issued against Rahul on July 2, 2025, under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, following the CBI’s findings of financial irregularities. The officer has since responded, and further proceedings are pending.
Meanwhile, the CBI has invoked charges of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, forgery, and corruption under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against all accused, besides offences under environmental laws.
The illegalities surfaced when a proposal to fell only 163 trees for the safari was approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). However, the Forest Survey of India later reported that over 2,600 trees were felled for the safari and an additional 534 trees for tourist facilities.
