Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) and vigilance clearance to whistleblower Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi for central deputation to the Lokpal of India. This approval removes a key procedural hurdle for his possible appointment to a joint secretary-level post in the anti-corruption watchdog.
Official Communication and Clearance
The approval was conveyed through a letter dated June 13 by additional secretary Himanshu Khurana to the under secretary, establishment, Lokpal of India. This followed a request from the Lokpal on April 27, seeking the state government's consent on Chaturvedi's application. The clearance was based on recommendations forwarded by the principal chief conservator of forests (head of forest force), Uttarakhand. Officials confirmed that the communication also included vigilance clearance, a mandatory requirement for central deputation.
Background of Sanjiv Chaturvedi
Chaturvedi, a 2002-batch IFS officer originally allotted to the Haryana cadre and later transferred to Uttarakhand, currently serves as chief conservator of forests and director of the Uttarakhand Forestry Training Academy in Haldwani. He holds an electrical engineering degree from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Prayagraj. In 2015, he received the Ramon Magsaysay award, with the citation recognizing his “exemplary integrity, courage and tenacity” in exposing corruption in public office.
Path to Lokpal and Legal Battles
His potential move to the Lokpal comes after years of litigation related to deputation, service records, and central empanelment. Chaturvedi applied for central deputation to the Lokpal in 2019. In 2022, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) directed the Centre to decide on his application within eight weeks. The recent NOC and vigilance clearance revive this route, though final appointment depends on the selection process at the Centre and Lokpal.
Early Career and Controversies
Chaturvedi first gained national attention during his tenure in Haryana, where he reported illegal tree felling, sand mining, and wildlife poaching, alleging that these operations had protection from influential officials and political figures. He was transferred multiple times and suspended in 2007, but the suspension was later reversed after an inquiry committee found the disciplinary charges baseless and recommended annulment. The committee also examined allegations of harassment against him, and its recommendations were accepted by the President in January 2011. The following month, the Haryana governor implemented the Presidential order, clearing his record. However, the Haryana government later challenged the inquiry report and Presidential order in court.
Tenure at AIIMS and Subsequent Legal Issues
Between 2012 and 2014, Chaturvedi served as chief vigilance officer at AIIMS, Delhi, where he initiated over 200 corruption inquiries related to procurement, appointments, construction, foreign travel, contracts, and administrative irregularities. His removal from this post sparked a major controversy and multiple legal proceedings, including cases concerning the closure of vigilance inquiries and disclosure of records.
Judicial Recusals
His legal battles have been marked by an unusual pattern of judicial recusals. By October last year, 16 judges across the Supreme Court, high courts, CAT, and subordinate courts had recused themselves from hearing matters involving him, often without detailed reasons. After the 16th recusal, the Uttarakhand high court chief justice directed that Chaturvedi’s cases be listed before his own bench to ensure they were heard. Some of these cases arose from disputes before CAT, including contempt proceedings and petitions related to alleged non-compliance with court orders. In one instance, the Union cabinet secretary approached the Uttarakhand high court to challenge old CAT orders and contempt notices connected to documents sought in cases involving AIIMS-era corruption inquiries.
APAR and Empanelment Litigation
Chaturvedi has also been involved in litigation related to his annual performance appraisal report (APAR) and central empanelment. He alleged that his APAR was downgraded in retaliation for his anti-corruption work, while later proceedings examined norms linked to the 360-degree appraisal system and disclosure of records used in empanelment.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2002: Joined Indian Forest Service; initially allotted Haryana cadre.
- 2007: Suspended during Haryana tenure after flagging alleged illegal tree felling, mining, and wildlife irregularities; suspension later reversed.
- Jan-Feb 2011: President accepted inquiry committee recommendations; Haryana governor implemented order quashing disciplinary action and clearing his record.
- 2012-2014: Served as chief vigilance officer at AIIMS, Delhi; initiated over 200 corruption inquiries.
- 2015: Received Ramon Magsaysay award; donated Rs 19.8 lakh prize money to PM’s National Relief Fund.
- Aug 2015: Transferred from Haryana cadre to Uttarakhand cadre.
- 2019: Applied for central deputation to Lokpal of India.
- 2022: Central Administrative Tribunal directed Centre to decide his Lokpal deputation application within eight weeks.
- 2025: 16 judges across courts and tribunals recused themselves from his cases; Uttarakhand high court chief justice ordered listing before his own bench.
- April 2026: Donated over Rs 3 lakh earned as official travel and tour allowances during field work to CM relief fund.
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