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The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Horticulture department’s irregularities. This directive came during the hearing of a public interest litigation requesting a CBI or another agency investigation into the Horticulture department scandal. The division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, emphasized the seriousness of the matter.
The court not only ordered a CBI investigation into the irregularities but also instructed the State government to ensure full cooperation with the CBI and provide all relevant documents.
Previously, the High Court had examined the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) but was dissatisfied with its findings. When the government counsel mentioned that the SIT had completed its investigation, the court inquired about the actions taken against individuals implicated in corruption.
Earlier, at the State government’s request, the court had directed the SIT to conduct the initial investigation into the irregularities before transferring the case to the CBI.
The PIL, filed by Deepak Kargeti, alleged various irregularities in the Horticulture department. Among these irregularities was the claim that the department had issued a work order and imported saplings from Jammu and Kashmir on the same day, with payments made accordingly. The petitioner asserted that financial and other irregularities were prevalent in multiple instances within the department, thereby requesting a CBI investigation.
Notably, in June of this year, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had removed HS Baweja from the position of Horticulture department director following an inquiry into corruption allegations against him. These allegations related to irregularities in the purchase of kiwi plants and ginger and turmeric seeds.
