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
BEML_Joins_SCOPE_GIZ_Initiative
BEML Showcases Green Leadership at SCOPE-GIZ LeadIT Workshop on Industrial Decarbonisation
World Habitat Day 2025
World Habitat Day 2025: HUDCO's 30-Year Legacy Empowers Underprivileged Children Through Art
BEL and IREDA
BEL and IREDA Set to Announce Q2 FY26 Results in October; Investors Await Key Growth Updates
mohan yadav
CM Mohan Yadav Directs Bold Reforms in Bhopal Conference: “Let Us Deliver Vision‑2047 with Good Governance”
Vishnu Sai CM @ Pateshwar  Dham
Blessings, Not Bullets: CM Sai’s Visit to Pateshwar Dham Ties Peace to the Spiritual Legacy of Chhattisgarh
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
EC Bars IAS Officer Transfers in 72 Uttar Pradesh Districts Ahead of Graduate & Teacher Constituency Elections
Yogi Adityanath
Rs. 9.91 Crore Released for Village Upliftment in Uttar Pradesh: Roads, Solar Lights, & Open Gyms Coming to 499 Gram Panchayats
IPS Puran Kumar suicide
Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar Suicide case: IAS Wife Refuses Postmortem, May Seek CBI Probe, 30+ Officers Named in Suicide Note
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
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
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...
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
BEML_Joins_SCOPE_GIZ_Initiative
BEML Showcases Green Leadership at SCOPE-GIZ LeadIT Workshop on Industrial Decarbonisation
World Habitat Day 2025
World Habitat Day 2025: HUDCO's 30-Year Legacy Empowers Underprivileged Children Through Art
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT