The Karnataka forest department has stirred a political and bureaucratic storm by recommending stringent action against two serving Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, a retired IFS officer, and a retired IAS official. They are accused of enabling the controversial handover of forest land—worth an estimated ₹14,000 crore—originally allocated to Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) in Bengaluru, to private entities.

The case centres around 599 acres of land in Peenya-Jalahalli, classified as forest in 1896 and donated to HMT in the 1960s for industrial use. Over time, the land allegedly became a hub for commercial ventures, including real estate development and film shooting.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre revealed that without Cabinet clearance, officials filed an Interim Application (IA) in the Supreme Court in 2020 seeking denotification of the forest land—allegedly based on misleading claims that the land had lost its forest character.

Among those facing action is R Gokul, a senior IFS officer known for whistleblowing during Karnataka’s illegal mining scam. Gokul has claimed victimisation by the Congress-led state government, alleging retaliation for exposing political corruption.

Other named officials include former forest secretary Sandeep Dave, retired IFS officer Vijay Kumar Gogo, and serving IFS officer Smita Bijoor. The state has moved to suspend Gokul and initiate inquiries.

While the forest department has withdrawn its earlier SC affidavit and is reclaiming 281 vacant acres, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy is resisting, defending HMT’s stake and questioning the state’s motives.

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