Archive · 1 Jul 2025
Retired Bureaucrats Raise Concerns Over Forest Law Cases
A group of former government officials wrote to India's Chief Justice.
They are worried about a committee that advises the Supreme Court on forest issues.
The concern is that some committee members used to work for the Environment Ministry.
They fear the court's decisions on a new forest law could be affected, as the committee's advice might be biased.
The ex-officials want the court to get advice from independent experts to ensure fairness.
Retired bureaucrats raised concerns about conflict of interest within the Central Empowered Committee.
The committee advises the Supreme Court on environmental conservation.
Concerns center on cases challenging the Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023.
The group suggests current committee members may be biased due to prior government roles.
They requested the Chief Justice to exclude the current CEC from advising on FCAA-related cases.
- Who
- Retired bureaucrats, Chief Justice of India, members of the CEC
- What
- Retired bureaucrats raised concerns about a conflict of interest in the CEC regarding cases challenging the Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023.
- When
- June 30, 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ensure the Supreme Court receives impartial advice in cases related to the Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
Retired Bureaucrats
Current CEC
CEC Impartiality
Retired Bureaucrats
The CEC's advice may be biased due to its composition.
Current CEC
The CEC is composed of experts qualified to provide advice.
FCAA Fairness
Retired Bureaucrats
The FCAA may be unjustly favored.
Current CEC
The FCAA is subject to a fair legal review.
- Group Involved
- Constitutional Conduct Group
- Recipient
- Chief Justice of India
- Concern
- Conflict of interest within the CEC
- Affected Act
- Forest Conservation Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023
- Signatories
- Julio Ribeiro, Najeeb Jung, Harsh Mander
Sources
Over 90 forest rights groups write to PM, claim environment ministry attempting to 'subvert' FRA
‘Conflict of interest’ in CEC may compromise FCAA cases: Retired bureaucrats write to CJI
Retired Bureaucrats Write to CJI: CEC Conflict of Interest May Compromise FCAA Cases