Operation Vanaraksha: Kerala forest officials suspended after vigilance probe

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Forest Department has suspended two Range Forest Officers following a surprise inspection by the police vigilance unit, which uncovered serious irregularities in several forest offices. Those suspended are Sibi K.E., Range Officer of Thekkady in the Periyar East Division, and Arun K. Nair, Range Officer of Vallakkadavu.

The inspections, conducted across 71 range offices on Saturday under the codename ‘Operation Vanaraksha’, revealed major financial discrepancies and bribery.

According to the vigilance findings, a contractor deposited ₹72.8 lakhs into the accounts of Vallakkadavu Range Officer Arun K. Nair and his relatives between June and September. Additionally, the same contractor transferred ₹1.36 lakh  into the account of an establishment in Edappally, reportedly under the officer’s instruction.

In the case of the Thekkady Range Officer, an inspection of his WhatsApp messages revealed that the same contractor had transferred ₹31.08 lakhs to various bank accounts provided by the officer. Moreover, two other contractors transferred ₹1.95 lakh through intermediaries and UPI payments to the same officer.

Following the vigilance report, the Deputy Director of the Periyar East Division conducted a preliminary inquiry. Arun K. Nair explained that the funds transferred to the contractor were meant for the timely completion of various projects in the Vallakkadavu range, which were reimbursed once the bills were cleared.

Sibi K.E., the Thekkady Range Officer, claimed that payments had to be made directly to contractors to ensure timely completion of works in his range, and that no funds were received into his personal accounts.

The Forest Department rejected both explanations. Based on the investigation report, which concluded that the officers’ actions constituted a serious breach of existing laws and regulations, as well as gross misconduct and dereliction of duty, both officers were suspended.