Archive · 26 Jul 2025
Pithoragarh Forest Scandal: Probe Uncovers Multi-Crore Corruption
A government investigation has revealed a big problem in Pithoragarh, India.
An officer named Sanjeev Chaturvedi found that a forest official, Vinay Kumar Bhargava, may have done some wrong things, like building without permission and paying too much for supplies.
These actions might have cost several crores.
The constructions, including buildings and eco-huts, happened in a protected forest area without the required approvals.
The government is now looking into this.
The Chief Minister says they won't let anyone involved get away with it.
Sanjeev Chaturvedi's report reveals financial irregularities and unauthorized construction in Pithoragarh.
Former DFO Vinay Kumar Bhargava is implicated in the alleged multi-crore scam from 2019.
The construction involved multiple concrete structures in the protected Munsyari Range.
Structures were built without necessary approvals and payments were made without proper tendering.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has initiated action and issued a show-cause notice.
- Who
- Former DFO Vinay Kumar Bhargava is implicated; Sanjeev Chaturvedi investigated the case.
- What
- Unauthorized construction and financial irregularities in Pithoragarh's forest division.
- When
- The alleged irregularities occurred in 2019.
- Where
- Pithoragarh Forest Division, Munsyari Range, Uttarakhand, India.
- Why
- To investigate corruption and unauthorized construction within the forest division.
Government's Stance
N/A
Corruption
Government's Stance
Committed to investigating all allegations of corruption.
N/A
N/A
- Investigating Officer
- Sanjeev Chaturvedi
- Accused Official
- Vinay Kumar Bhargava
- Location
- Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
- Nature of Offence
- Financial irregularities, unauthorized construction
- Government Action
- Show-cause notice issued
- Date of Investigation Report
- December 2024 and January 2025