The reopening of documents linked to the seven-year-old Corbett tiger poaching case has triggered major unrest within the Uttarakhand Forest Department. Several serving and retired officers are reportedly anxious as long-ignored files, investigation reports and internal correspondence resurface following the Supreme Court’s strict stance on the matter.
The case regained momentum after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Uttarakhand government, and the former Chief Wildlife Warden. The development has left present officials uneasy, while retired officers named in past findings are also under pressure. As old documents reappear online, including CBI affidavits and departmental letters, the matter is once again under sharp scrutiny.
A crucial hearing is expected in the Supreme Court after three weeks, where a significant decision on the stalled CBI investigation may be announced. Earlier CBI affidavits filed in 2020 and 2023 had already indicated possible collusion between certain forest officers and an international poaching syndicate, suggesting violations of NTCA guidelines and the presence of strong evidence against several officials.
The controversy has revived interest in older reports, including a 10 January 2018 notice issued by the Nainital High Court on an NGO Tiger Eye’s petition. A probe led by then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jayaraj had flagged serious administrative negligence by the then Chief Wildlife Warden, former Corbett Director, and other officers.
A confidential letter dated 27 August 2018 from the Uttarakhand government has also resurfaced. It mentions an STF seizure of five tiger skins and bones in March 2018. Based on the 28 June 2018 inquiry report, the then Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve, the then DFOs of Kalagarh and Lansdowne were held responsible for administrative lapses, with directions to fix accountability on other officers as well.
As the Supreme Court prepares to review the stalled probe, the revived documents have once again placed the forest department under intense public and legal scrutiny.
