Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Gauhati High Court Seeks Assam Response Over Yadava Reappointment
The Gauhati High Court is examining a challenge to the reappointment of retired forest officer M K Yadava.
Yadava was given another contractual job as Special Chief Secretary (Forest).
This was his third post-retirement extension or re-engagement.
Environmental activist Rohit Choudhury filed the legal petition.
He says an Assam government rule from 2018 allowed such appointments only in rare and exceptional cases.
The petition also points out that the rule was changed in 2024.
The court has asked the Assam government to answer these claims.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
The Gauhati High Court sought the Assam government’s response to a petition challenging M K Yadava’s reappointment.
Yadava received a third post-retirement contractual extension as Special Chief Secretary (Forest) on May 14.
The petition was filed by Assam-based environmental activist Rohit Choudhury.
The petition argues that Assam’s 2018 policy allowed post-retirement appointments only in rare and exceptional circumstances.
A division bench sought the government’s response by the next hearing on October 15.
- Who
- Retired Indian Forest Service officer M K Yadava, petitioner Rohit Choudhury, and the Assam government are involved.
- What
- The Gauhati High Court sought the government’s response to a petition challenging Yadava’s third post-retirement re-engagement.
- When
- Yadava’s latest re-engagement was granted on May 14; the court issued notice on September 11 and set October 15 as the next hearing.
- Where
- The matter is before the Gauhati High Court and concerns the Assam government.
- Why
- The petition questions whether Yadava’s re-engagement complied with Assam’s rules on post-retirement appointments.
Petitioner’s Contentions
Government’s Pending Response
Validity of re-engagement
Petitioner’s Contentions
Rohit Choudhury’s petition challenges M K Yadava’s reappointment and argues that the applicable policy restricted post-retirement engagement to rare and exceptional circumstances.
Government’s Pending Response
The Assam government has been asked to respond to the petition’s contentions, but its position is not stated in the article.
Policy changes
Petitioner’s Contentions
The petition flags that a 2018 Assam government office memorandum set the rare-and-exceptional standard and was subsequently modified in 2024.
Government’s Pending Response
The government’s explanation of the 2024 modification and its relevance to Yadava’s appointment is awaited.
- Officer
- M K Yadava, a retired Indian Forest Service officer
- New post
- Special Chief Secretary (Forest)
- Appointment date
- May 14
- Re-engagement count
- Third post-retirement contractual extension or re-engagement
- Petitioner
- Assam-based environmental activist Rohit Choudhury
- Court notice
- Issued on September 11
- Next hearing
- October 15