Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Gauhati High Court to hear challenge to retired Assam forest officer’s powers
The Gauhati High Court is reviewing a challenge to M.K. Yadava’s powers as Assam’s Special Chief Secretary (Forest).
Yadava is a retired Indian Forest Service officer who took the post in March 2024 after serving as Assam’s top forest officer.
The petition does not dispute the state’s ability to hire retired officials on contract; it questions whether one can be given substantive government powers under that arrangement.
It asks the Assam government to disclose the order or other legal instrument that gave Yadava his financial and administrative powers.
The petitioner cited records showing Yadava’s involvement in matters including district survey reports and mining regulation.
The court has issued notices to the state and other respondents, and the next hearing is set for November 4.
The Gauhati High Court has admitted a petition challenging the legal authority for retired forest officer M.K. Yadava’s powers as Assam’s Special Chief Secretary (Forest).
The petition asks the state to disclose the legal instrument or government order that gave him full financial and administrative powers.
Activist Amarjyoti Choudhury filed the petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.
The court issued notices to the Assam government and other respondents.
The next hearing is set for November 4.
- Who
- Activist Amarjyoti Choudhury filed the petition, which challenges the powers given to M.K. Yadava.
- What
- The petition questions the legal basis for giving a retired officer full financial and administrative powers.
- When
- Filed on October 5, 2026; the next hearing is set for November 4.
- Where
- Gauhati High Court, Assam.
- Why
- The petitioner seeks clarification on the legal instrument or government order authorising Yadava’s powers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
M.K. Yadava retired from service as Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force.
Yadava was appointed Special Chief Secretary (Forest).
His tenure was extended for the first time.
His tenure was extended for a second time.
Amarjyoti Choudhury filed the petition challenging the legal basis for Yadava’s powers.
The High Court set the next hearing date.
- Petitioner
- Amarjyoti Choudhury
- Officer
- M.K. Yadava, retired Indian Forest Service officer
- Post
- Special Chief Secretary (Forest)
- Powers challenged
- Full financial and administrative powers
- Petition filed
- October 5, 2026
- Next hearing
- November 4
What people are saying
full financial and administrative powers
cannot, by itself, constitute a blanket delegation of every financial and administrative power available within the department