SC stays U'khand HC order reinstating Rajiv Bhartari as head of forest force

April 18, 2023 00:20

The Supreme Court on Monday put a stay on a Uttarakhand high court's order directing the state government to reinstate senior Indian Forest Service officer Rajiv Bhartari as the head of forest force.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath said there shall be stay of operation of the impugned order of the high court dated April 3, 2023.

The top court was hearing a plea by former HoFF Vinod Kumar seeking a stay on the high court's order.

The apex court bench also issued notices to the respondents giving them four weeks to reply. Bhartari, who is due to retire this month, had resumed charge as the HoFF on April 4, just a day after the high court's order set the state government a narrow deadline of less than 24 hours for his reinstatement.

However, Bhartari was kept waiting at the state forest department headquarters in Dehradun for several hours to take charge under one technical excuse or the other.

Immediately after taking over, Bhartari issued transfer orders of a large number of forest department employees.

However, his operational powers were virtually seized as transfer orders issued by him was revoked and he was restricted from taking any policy decisions without the approval of the state government. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Abhishek aims to deliver big in every innings

Abhishek said he has benefitted a lot after working with batting great Brian Lara, who was involved with the franchise in the past.

It's scary bowling to Abhishek: Pat Cummins

Abhishek has put fear in the minds of bowlers, including Cummins, his skipper at Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi suffers 'hard landing'

The details of the incident remain unknown as of now, however, initial reports suggest that the accident involved the president's helicopter and foggy weather.

In Pictures - Sunrisers demolish Punjab Kings to go second

Images from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.

Luxury car mows down 2 in Pune; teen driver's father, bar to be booked

The 17-year-old car driver was detained after a case was registered against him. He was produced in a juvenile court which granted him bail, they said.