Dehradun: A big scam like Corbett has come to light in the Forest Department. Huge irregularities and misuse of funds have come to light in the construction of eco hut in Munsiyari.
The name of senior IFS officer Dr. Vinay Bhargava has surfaced in this scam, who is said to be the son-in-law of a minister. The department has sent the investigation report of the entire scam to the government and recommended investigation by CBI and ED, while the government has sought a reply from them within 15 days.
A scam of Rs 1.63 crore has come to light in the name of eco-tourism in Munsiyari, falling in Pithoragarh district. In the scam, the name of Dr. Vinay Kumar Bhargava, Divisional Forest Officer Pithoragarh in 2019 and currently Forest Conservator of Western Circle Haldwani, has surfaced.
He has been accused of serious allegations like financial irregularities, violation of rules in construction and benefiting private institutions without tender. The government has clearly warned him that if the answer is not given on time, further disciplinary and legal action will be taken.
When the scam came to light, a detailed investigation of the case was done by senior IFS officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi between August and December 2024.
He prepared a 700-page report in two phases and submitted it to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HAF) in December 2024 and January 2025. This report was sent to the government in March 2025, which was approved by the Chief Minister in June 2025. The report recommends a CBI and ED inquiry, as well as a recommendation to register a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Bhargava has been accused in the past as well
In 2015, when Dr. Bhargava was the DFO of Narendranagar, he was accused of huge financial irregularities in forestry works, but he was acquitted on the basis of lack of experience. There have been talks of him continuously holding lucrative (influential) posts and getting political patronage for years.
If sources are to be believed, he is married to the niece of a cabinet minister, which is believed to be the main reason for his influence. If departmental sources are to be believed, film producer Shekhar Kapoor has also admitted to staying in these eco huts. The four-year audit (2020–21 to 2023–24) of the private organization associated with the eco huts was conducted by a firm in Jaisalmer, which is thousands of kilometers away from Munsiyari. This process is also under investigation.
These are the main allegations in the scam
- In the year 2019, these structures were constructed without permission in the reserved forest area of Munsiyari range
Construction of dormitory, forest cottage product sales center, 10 VIP eco huts and growth center.
- Purchase of construction material worth crores without tender
Without following any public tender process, the contract was given to a private organization and a lump sum payment was made. This flouted the financial transparency policy of the government.
- Transfer of 70 tourism income from illegal MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with EDC Patalthaud, Munsiyari without competent approval, under which 70 percent of the income of eco huts was given to a private organization. It is being told that this company belongs to an MLA.
- Violation of Forest Conservation Act 1980
These structures made of cement-mortar are completely permanent in nature. Necessary approval under Section-2 was not taken from the Central Government before construction.
- Fraud in fire line expenditure
Where only 14.6 km fire line is recorded in the work plan, an expenditure of Rs 2 lakh was shown by showing 90 km fire line.
