Uttarakhand Information Commission orders disclosure of alleged corruption inquiry in building eco-huts in Munsiyari
Uttarakhand Information Commission orders disclosure of alleged corruption inquiry in building eco-huts in Munsiyari
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Feb 11
In a landmark judgement, Uttarakhand Information Commission has asked the forest department to provide inquiry report against an official within 15 days in the Harinder Dhingra vs Government of Uttarakhand case, in a ruling delivered on January 8, 2026. The Commission ordered that the appellant, should be given information about the completed inquiry within 15 days after completion of investigation.
The matter is related with the construction of eco huts inside Khali reserve forest range of Munsiyari. After complaints, the inquiry officer, Sanjeev Chaturvedi on December 24, 2024 has sent a letter to the then forest conservator that in constructing concrete structures of 10 VIP eco – huts inside one of India’s most ecologically sensitive zones, the official has not only risked endangering human lives, destabilised local eco-system and triggering potential man- made disaster but also committed financial irregularities. The central government in August 2025, has directed government of Uttarakhand to take action against the concerned officials.
The appellant had appealed to the second appealing officer of forest department on June 11, 2025, seeking information on his appeal under RTI, after his first application on April 24, 2025 was denied in giving information citing continuation of disciplinary action against the said officer.
“The appellant had sought to know the action taken against the said officer concerning alleged corruption charges and action taken against him under violation of section 2 and 3 of Forest Act, 1980.
“The path breaking judgement has paved the way to give time-bound information on disclosure of inquiry outcomes,” said Harinder Dhingra, the appellant, who has put an RTI appeal to first appealing officer of forest department of Uttarakhand in June last year to seek the details of the inquiry outcomes on construction of concrete foundation eco huts in reserve forest land in Munsiyari.
” The decision is important as it has curbed routine misuse of section 8(1)(h) of RTI to block corruption disclosures,” said Dhingra.
