Bidar, 19 July

The IFS officer who was suspended for writing a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), falsely accusing the State government regarding the denotification of forest land under HMT's possession, has now admitted to his fault. 

Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said that a recommendation has been made to reinstate him to the post of Chief Conservator of Forests.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests refused to accept his R Gokul’s resignation as detailed information regarding the suspension was not sent to the central government within 15 days of his suspension.

Gokul, who had approached the Supreme Court and written a letter to the CBI, tendered an unconditional apology. The chief secretary has recommended revoking his suspension.

The 14,300-crore rupees worth of forest land under HMT’s possession belongs to 7 crore Kannadigas. This land was illegally sold to real estate companies. However, Gokul misled the SC by submitting false information and affidavits claiming the land cannot be called a forest.