https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Diwali Trip Turns Violent: Senior Government Officers and Forest Officials Clash in Gir Over Trivial Disagreement

The confrontation, which occurred in the popular Sasan region of Gir, involved J. Rajnith Kumar, the Additional CEO of the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), and CFT Karuppasamy, the Chief Forest Officer (CFO) of Gandhinagar, alongside several forest employees.
Indian Masterminds Stories

A shocking incident unfolded during the Diwali holidays in Gir, when a brawl broke out between senior government officials and forest department employees over a trivial matter. The confrontation, which occurred in the popular Sasan region of Gir, involved J. Rajnith Kumar, the Additional CEO of the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), and CFT Karuppasamy, the Chief Forest Officer (CFO) of Gandhinagar, alongside several forest employees.

The altercation began when the senior officers visited Sasan Lion Safari, a prime tourist destination in the Gir region, during the Diwali break. After staying at the Safari, they went on a jungle safari. Tensions flared when one of the officers’ children needed to relieve themselves and approached a nearby food stall for assistance. The stall was operated by Nirupama Beniwal, a female forest employee, who objected to the request, sparking a heated exchange between her and the officers.

The situation escalated when Hitesh Rathod, a forest guard, intervened and physically confronted the senior officers. According to reports, the forest officials did not immediately recognize the identities of the individuals involved, which led to the confrontation spiraling into a full-fledged brawl. The senior officers were struck before they were able to reveal their positions.

Once the forest officials realized that they had been involved in a physical altercation with high-ranking government officers, they immediately backed down and attempted to de-escalate the situation. The senior officers identified themselves, and the matter was reported to local authorities in Sasan.

Both CFT Karuppasamy and Hitesh Rathod later issued statements clarifying that the brawl had been the result of a misunderstanding. Karuppasamy confirmed that the conflict was accidental and apologized for the incident. Rathod echoed the sentiment, expressing regret over the confusion and asserting that no ill intentions had been involved.

Despite the swift resolution of the incident, the case has attracted attention from union leaders representing forest employees. They have expressed concern about potential disciplinary actions against the forest officials involved in the altercation. The union has issued a warning, stating that any punitive measures, including transfers or other sanctions, would be met with resistance.

As of now, the matter has been resolved internally, but the episode has highlighted the underlying tensions that can arise from misunderstandings in high-pressure environments, particularly in tourist hotspots like Gir during peak seasons.

Background:
Gir is renowned for being home to the Asiatic lion and attracts a large number of tourists, especially during the Diwali holidays. It is managed by the Gujarat Forest Department, with a mix of local forest officials and external tourism operators involved in its management.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
Allahabad high court
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as Judge of Allahabad High Court
JK Cement Health Camp Panna
Free Health Camp Organised for Forest Personnel During Wildlife Week 2025 by South Panna Forest Division
REC Mobile Medical Units
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Flags Off REC’s ₹5.71 Cr Mobile Medical Units to Boost Rural Healthcare in Rajasthan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT