Court notice issued on extension of former Assam forest officer

The Gauhati High Court has taken cognisance of a petition that challenges the validity of a third extension granted to M.K. Yadava, who served as Assam's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests until his retirement earlier this year. The court's issuance of notice marks the beginning of judicial scrutiny into the extension decision.

According to the petition, the Environment Ministry had identified significant lapses in Yadava's administration during his tenure as the state's senior-most forest official. The petitioner has contended that these findings should have precluded the grant of successive extensions to the officer's service.

Yadava retired in February 2024 after serving in the pivotal role that oversees Assam's forest conservation efforts. The extension decisions granted to him prior to his retirement have now become the subject of legal challenge, with the court's notice indicating it will examine the merits of the petition.

The case touches on issues of administrative accountability and the proper exercise of extension authority for senior government officials. The court's proceedings are likely to clarify the procedures and criteria that govern such extensions in the forestry services.