Third extension of former Assam PCCF challenged; Gauhati High Court issues notice

The Gauhati High Court, through Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, formally notified the Assam government on September 11, 2026, that a petition challenging the third extension of retired IFS officer M.K. Yadava’s appointment as Special Chief Secretary (Forests) had been filed. The petition argues that the appointment contravenes the 2018 Office Memorandum, which permits contractual engagement of retired officers only under rare and exceptional circumstances.

The petition was lodged by Eastern Assam‑based conservationist Rohit Choudhury, who cited findings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that identified lapses during Yadava’s tenure as PCCF, including unauthorized diversion of forest land. The petition seeks action under Sections 3A and 3B of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and requests the court’s intervention. Advocates Abir Phukan and P. Sharma represent the petitioner, and the court has ordered the state to file a response by October 15.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about post‑retirement appointments of senior forest officials and the procedural safeguards meant to prevent misuse of administrative authority. Stakeholders, including forest‑dependent communities and environmental watchdogs, view the litigation as a test of accountability mechanisms within Assam’s forest governance framework, with potential ramifications for future engagements of retired officers in government roles.