SC stays HC order scrapping CBI probe into Corbett irregularities

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed an order of the Uttarakhand high court scrapping the ongoing CBI probe against a senior bureaucrat in the case related to irregularities in the Corbett tiger safari project that is being monitored by the top court.

- Abraham Thomas

The high court on October 14, stayed the order passed by the state government last month granting sanction for prosecution of the officer, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Rahul (he uses only one name). The sanction was granted after the top court pulled up the state for showing special treatment to the officer who was made the director of Rajaji tiger reserve despite being on suspension for his role in alleged irregularities related to tree felling and unauthorised construction when he was director of Corbett tiger reserve.

Staying the high court order, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai said judicial propriety demanded that the high court should have “stayed its hands” as the CBI probe was being monitored by the top court.

The court summoned Rahul to appear before the court on November Il to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for bypassing the top court despite having knowledge about the pending proceedings.

The bench, also said, “We are deeply perturbed by the approach of the officer Rahul as well as the high court of Uttarakhand.”