Minister Eshwar Khandre has said he had recommended that R. Gokul be reinstated as Chief Conservator of Forests.
| Photo Credit: file photo
Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer R. Gokul, who was suspended by the State government in connection with a case filed in the Supreme Court seeking permission to denotify 443 acres of HMT forest land, besides writing a letter to the CBI, has reportedly admitted to his mistake and submitted an unconditional apology.
A statement from Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre stated that, following this, a recommendation had been made to revoke his suspension and appoint him as Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF).
Currently, Mr. Gokul holds the rank of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) and was serving as the Director-General (Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute) at the time of his suspension.
Mr. Khandre, replying to a question on whether the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had refused to approve the suspension of the IFoS officer and written to the Chief Secretary in this regard, said that he was unaware of it.
Not within 15 days
However, it has now been learnt that the MoEFF communicated that the official suspension cannot be considered at this stage due to a “technical reason” that detailed information was not sent to the Central government within 15 days of his suspension.
According to Mr. Khandre’s office, Mr. Gokul has filed an application in the Supreme Court and has admitted making “false allegations” against the government in a letter to the CBI.
In this backdrop, the Chief Secretary has also recommended that Mr. Gokul’s suspension be revoked.
Mr. Khandre said he had recommended that Mr. Gokul be reinstated as CCF and his suspension be revoked.
Background of case
Mr. Gokul’s suspension order stated that he, without obtaining the approval of the then Minister in charge or sanction from the State Cabinet, filed an interlocutory application (IA) before the Supreme Court seeking permission for denotification of lands granted to HMT measuring 443 acres 6 guntas at Peenya Jalahalli Plantation.
Published – July 19, 2025 12:21 am IST