Dehradun: The State Information Commission (SIC), Uttarakhand, has directed the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the forest department to provide documents sought under the RTI Act by petitioner Harinder Dhingra from Gurugram, Haryana, within 15 days. The directive is subject to the completion of an ongoing investigation against Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Vinay Kumar Bhargava, who has been under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in eco-tourism projects in the state.
RTI Request and Scope
Dhingra had filed a request seeking a complete set of documents related to actions taken against Dr. Bhargava in connection with alleged corruption in the construction of eco-huts and eco-tourism facilities in Munsiyari, Pithoragarh. The RTI sought:
- Files, file notings, letters, reports, and account statements
- Tenders, quotations, expenditure details, and internal notes at all levels of the Uttarakhand government
- Records indicating how long files remained with each officer
Documentation of action taken under alleged violations of Sections 2 and 3 of the Forest Conservation Act related to unauthorized permanent structures at eco-tourism facilities
Legal Considerations
While addressing the petition, the SIC referenced the Supreme Court ruling in Girish Ram Chandra Deshpande vs Central Information Commission, which states that memos, show-cause notices, and censure or punishment orders are considered personal information under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Such documents are exempt from disclosure unless there is an overriding public interest.
The SIC clarified that the PIO must provide the complete outcome of the investigation to the petitioner once it concludes, ensuring transparency while protecting personal information.
Profile: Dr. Vinay Kumar Bhargava
Dr. Bhargava is a senior IFS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre with a notable administrative record:
- Batch & Cadre: Senior officer, Uttarakhand cadre
- Current Posting (Aug 2025): Conservator of Forests and Director, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Gopeshwar, Chamoli district
- Previous Role: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Pithoragarh forest division
Allegations and Investigation
Dr. Bhargava has been under scrutiny following an inquiry led by senior IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. Key developments include:
Eco-Tourism Scam Allegations: In July 2025, Dr. Bhargava received a show-cause notice regarding alleged financial irregularities and unauthorized concrete constructions in the Khaliya Reserved Forest, Munsiyari.
Legal Challenge: He has reportedly approached the Uttarakhand High Court, challenging his transfer to Gopeshwar, describing it as arbitrary and punitive.
SIC Order and Next Steps
The SIC has mandated that the forest department PIO:
- Furnish the requested information under RTI within 15 days of the investigation’s completion
- Provide details related to actions taken against Dr. Bhargava, without disclosing exempted personal information
The commission’s order balances citizen right-to-information with protection of personal data and ensures accountability in handling allegations against senior officials.
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