https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Centre Rejects State’s Suspension Proposal Against IFS Officer R Gokul; Forest Minister Recommends Demotion Instead

Centre Turns Down Karnataka's Proposal to Suspend IFS Officer; Forest Minister Recommends Demotion
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bengaluru: In a significant setback for the state government, the Centre has declined to consider the suspension proposal issued against senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer R Gokul (1997 batch), citing procedural lapses, including a delay in submission and failure to provide a detailed report on the case.

The state government had suspended Gokul, an officer of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) rank, on June 4, pending an inquiry into his alleged unauthorized legal action. However, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) refused to admit the proposal due to non-compliance with required protocols.

Background: Alleged Unauthorized Plea Before Supreme Court

The controversy stems from a 2020 interlocutory application filed by Gokul and three other bureaucrats – two IFS and one IAS officer – in the Supreme Court, seeking the denotification of 443.6 acres of forest land previously allotted to the Centre-owned PSU HMT in the Peenya-Jalahalli plantation area of Bengaluru.

The officers allegedly acted without ministerial approval or placing the matter before the state cabinet, triggering strong reactions and leading to Gokul’s suspension. The move was viewed as a breach of service rules and violation of procedural hierarchy.

Unconditional Apology & Minister’s Recommendation for Revocation

In the latest development, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed that R Gokul has submitted an unconditional apology regarding the incident. Following this, Khandre wrote to the Chief Secretary, recommending revocation of the suspension while suggesting demotion of the officer from the APCCF rank to Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) rank as a disciplinary measure.

“The Chief Secretary informed me that the officer has expressed unconditional regret. In such a case, it’s an acceptance of wrongdoing. I’ve recommended that his suspension be revoked and he be demoted accordingly,” Khandre told media.

Centre’s Refusal: A Procedural Blow

Sources in the forest department said the Centre’s refusal was a procedural setback. According to All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, state governments must provide comprehensive documentation while recommending suspension of All India Service officers. The omission of detailed case reports and the timing of the proposal led the Centre to decline further action.

What’s Next?

With the Centre stepping back and the state considering a softer stance in light of Gokul’s apology, the case may now end with a formal demotion and internal memo, rather than prolonged legal or disciplinary action.

The incident, however, underscores the tensions between procedural accountability and bureaucratic discretion, especially when it involves judicial interventions without executive sanction.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
MCL Town Hall project Patnagarh
MCL Allocates Rs 9.97 Crore for Town Hall Project in Patnagarh, Strengthening Community Infrastructure in Odisha
SAIL
SAIL Reports 53% Decline in Q2 FY26 Profit to Rs 418 Crore, Revenue Surges Amid Strong Sales Volume
Railtel
RailTel Achieves 27% Growth in Q2 FY26, Reports Rs 966 Crore Income and Announces Interim Dividend
NMDC Steel Ltd
NMDC Achieves Record-Breaking Q2 FY26 with 23% Growth in Production and 33% Increase in PAT
HPCL_logo_HIndustan Petroleum
Results: HPCL Reports 731% Surge in H1 FY26 Profit, Driven by Strong Refining & Marketing Performance
BHEL
BHEL Reports 3x Surge in Q2 Net Profit to Rs 374.89 Crore, Driven by Strong Revenue Growth of Rs 7,686.41 Crore
DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar bribery case
Bribery to Benami Assets: CBI Registers Disproportionate Assets Case Against IPS Harcharan Singh Bhullar; Massive Cash, Gold, & Property Recovered
President Droupadi Murmu Rafale flight
Historic First: At 67, President Droupadi Murmu Becomes First Indian President to Fly in Rafale Fighter Jet, Calls It an ‘Unforgettable Experience’
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
MCL Town Hall project Patnagarh
MCL Allocates Rs 9.97 Crore for Town Hall Project in Patnagarh, Strengthening Community Infrastructure in Odisha
SAIL
SAIL Reports 53% Decline in Q2 FY26 Profit to Rs 418 Crore, Revenue Surges Amid Strong Sales Volume
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT