New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday strongly objected to the decision of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to appoint Indian Forest Service officer Rahul as the director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The said officer was earlier removed from Corbett Tiger Reserve over allegations of illegal tree felling and disciplinary proceedings against the officer are still pending.

CM Dhami reprimanded

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Vishwanathan said that we are not in the feudal era, as Rajaji said, so be it... the Chief Minister should have given his reasoning. At least it is expected that when he disagreed with his minister and the Chief Secretary, he would use his discretion with reasons in writing.

Can the Chief Minister do anything?

The bench stressed the importance of the doctrine of public trust. The bench said, 'There is something like the doctrine of public trust in this country. The heads of public offices cannot do anything of their own accord when there is a provision that he (the officer) should not be posted there. Despite this, this was done just because he is a Chief Minister and he can do anything?'

What did the Uttarakhand government say?

Senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, appearing for the Uttarakhand government, said that the chief minister has the discretion to make such appointments. Nadkarni asked the apex court to give a detailed explanation during the next hearing.