Jaipur | The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice to the state government in connection with an alleged ₹17.5 crore plantation scam in the Rajgarh Range of the Alwar Forest Division, directing it to file its response within four weeks. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleges large-scale financial irregularities in plantation and soil conservation works, misuse of public funds, and significant damage to the natural forest ecosystem. It also seeks a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In an order passed on July 1, a Division Bench of the High Court directed the state government to submit a detailed reply. The PIL, filed by a Jaipur-based non-governmental organisation under Article 226 of the Constitution, questions plantation and soil conservation works carried out during 2023-24 over approximately 650 hectares.
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According to the petition, the works were executed under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project, the State Plan, and with financial assistance from the French Development Agency (AFD). The petition alleges that work carried out using heavy earth-moving machinery was falsely recorded as manual labour to facilitate payments, while official records were manipulated.
The petition further claims that entries in Measurement Books were allegedly falsified and the signatures of office-bearers of seven Village Forest Protection and Management Committees (VFPMCs) were forged to enable withdrawals from their bank accounts. It alleges that these actions resulted in the illegal withdrawal of several crores of rupees.
The PIL relies on internal evaluation reports prepared by the Forest Department after initial complaints regarding irregularities surfaced. According to the petition, these reports identified direct embezzlement and infructuous expenditure exceeding ₹2 crore.
It also alleges that more than ₹15.5 crore was illegally withdrawn from the bank accounts of seven Village Forest Protection and Management Committees between 2015-16 and 2024-25. When combined with other alleged financial irregularities, the total amount under question is stated to be approximately ₹17.5 crore.
Apart from the financial allegations, the petition also raises concerns over environmental damage. It claims that plantation activities were undertaken at geographically and ecologically unsuitable locations. The use of heavy earth-moving machinery allegedly caused irreversible damage to the natural forest cover and soil structure, undermining the very objectives of the afforestation project.
The petitioner argues that if the allegations are found to be true, the matter would involve not only financial misconduct but also the misuse of public funds and potential violations of environmental protection laws. On this basis, it has sought an independent and impartial investigation by the CBI under the supervision of the High Court.
At this stage, the High Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations. It has only issued notice to the state government and directed it to submit its response within the stipulated period. The court is expected to consider the matter further after the government’s reply is filed.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
