Deputy range forest officer accused of impropriety, no action even after four months

Bhanu issued a letter to Goudar, instructing him to provide an explanation as to why he should not be suspended for the violation.

According to a senior official from the forest department in Belagavi, Goudar has submitted his explanations to the Range Forest Officer’s office, and the same has been forwarded to the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF). “The file regarding this matter is currently with the DCF, who may or may not take action in this regard,” stated the official.

“This is not an isolated incident. In similar cases, Range Forest Officers in the Kalasa forest range and Mudigere forest range were suspended in the past. Usually, officials are suspended to ensure impartial investigations. We want to prevent any tampering with the evidence until the matter is thoroughly examined,” the official added.

A transit pass is issued by a range forest officer or a subordinate to authorise the removal and transportation of forest produce. Forest department officials emphasise that providing a transit passbook to a private individual is a violation of regulations.

The complaint against Goudar was lodged by a private individual, prompting the scrutiny of the deputy range forest officer.