The Supreme Court of India is revisiting a contentious case involving alleged tiger poaching within the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), issuing a notice regarding a seven-year stay on a CBI investigation. The case, which has been in limbo since 2018, has sparked concerns about administrative lapses, potential cover-ups, and the hindrance of efforts to dismantle poaching networks.
In September 2018, the Uttarakhand High Court ordered a CBI probe into all poaching cases in the state from the preceding five years, prompted by reports of 40 tiger and 272 leopard deaths in the prior two and a half years. The High Court sought to determine if forest department officials were complicit in these incidents. However, the Supreme Court stayed this order in October 2018, following an appeal by D.S. Khati, the then Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand. Khati argued that the High Court's decision was based on newspaper reports and that the state and its officials were not given a proper hearing.
Recently, the case has gained renewed attention with an application filed by environmental activist Atul Sati, seeking the vacation of the stay. Sati contends that crucial facts were concealed from the Supreme Court when the stay was initially granted. He argues that the High Court's order was based on substantial evidence, including findings from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, which indicated an international syndicate involved in the poaching. Sati's application, filed through Advocate Govind Jee, challenges Khati's claim that the state was not heard, pointing out that Khati himself filed an affidavit in the High Court. Sati asserts that the prolonged stay has impeded the identification and dismantling of the transnational network responsible for tiger poaching, which extends to Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
Adding another layer to the situation, the CBI has also requested the Supreme Court to vacate the stay, highlighting the findings of their preliminary inquiry. The CBI's investigation revealed irregularities and alleged cover-ups by forest officials regarding tiger deaths and indicated that guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were not being followed in Corbett. The CBI stated that their inquiry suggested the connivance of forest officials with poachers. According to the CBI, scrutiny of case records and examination of 38 individuals, including forest officials, private persons, and accused persons, support these findings.
The Supreme Court has acknowledged the urgency of the matter, scheduling a hearing for November 17 after Advocate Govind Jee, representing Atul Sati, brought the case to the attention of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai. The court's decision to consider the petition reflects a judicial recognition of the case's significance and the need for a timely resolution.
This case underscores the challenges in combating wildlife crime and the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in conservation efforts. The outcome of the Supreme Court's deliberations will have significant implications for the protection of tigers in Corbett Tiger Reserve and the broader fight against poaching in India.
