Uttarakhand High Court Delivers Stern Rebuke: Bureaucracy Must Uphold Law, Not Political Mandates

In a powerful assertion of judicial oversight, the Uttarakhand High Court has delivered a resounding message to the state’s bureaucracy, unequivocally reminding the Principal Secretary of Forests that administrative actions must be rooted in legal frameworks and established rules, not in the shifting sands of political diktats.

This stern admonition came during a hearing regarding the egregious illegal felling of thousands of trees within the ecologically sensitive Corbett Tiger Reserve, an environmental scandal that has deeply shaken public trust.

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, made it clear that public servants are duty-bound to uphold the law and protect the state's invaluable natural heritage.

The court’s direct address to the Forest Secretary underscored a critical principle of governance: accountability transcends individual whims and political pressures. "There has to be accountability. You people are protecting the environment. It is the duty of the state to protect the environment," the bench sternly observed, setting a precedent for environmental stewardship and bureaucratic integrity.

At the heart of the matter lies the illicit felling of an astonishing 6,000 trees for the Pakhro safari project in Corbett Tiger Reserve, a figure shockingly disproportionate to the mere 163 trees initially sanctioned for removal.

This blatant disregard for environmental regulations and legal procedures has drawn widespread condemnation and triggered a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI's probe has already resulted in a chargesheet against eight individuals, including the former state forest minister, Harak Singh Rawat, and the then Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kishan Chand.

Their alleged involvement highlights a distressing nexus of political influence and administrative dereliction that facilitated this environmental catastrophe. The court's inquiry into why officers failed to record their dissent when faced with potentially illegal orders was particularly poignant, probing the very fabric of bureaucratic ethics.

During the intense court proceedings, the Forest Secretary, who was personally present, faced pointed questions from the bench regarding the state's response to these grave violations.

The court questioned the efficacy of internal checks and balances, and the readiness of officials to stand by the rule of law even in the face of political pressure. The expectation is clear: administrative decisions must be meticulously documented and justified, safeguarding against arbitrary or unlawful directives.

As a next crucial step, the Uttarakhand High Court has directed the Forest Secretary to file a comprehensive affidavit by May 15.

This affidavit must meticulously detail the specific actions taken against all officials named in the CBI chargesheet, including those who issued the orders for the illegal felling, as well as those who executed them. This directive ensures that accountability is not merely a spoken word but is translated into concrete, punitive measures against those found responsible.

This ongoing legal battle serves as a stark reminder that India’s judiciary remains a vigilant guardian of environmental laws and public trust.

The Uttarakhand High Court's unwavering stance sends a powerful message across the administrative echelons: the protection of natural resources and adherence to legal principles are non-negotiable duties, and any deviation will be met with rigorous judicial scrutiny and demands for accountability.