ED is conducting raids at various locations in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttarakhand linked to former minister Harak Singh Rawat in connection with an alleged forest scam.
Harak Singh Rawat, who served as the state forest minister in the BJP Government, faces accusations of involvement in illegal tree-cutting and construction activities in the Pakhro range of Corbett Park under the Tiger Safari Project during his tenure.
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) reported that over 6,000 trees were unlawfully felled in the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), contradicting the permitted number of 163 for the Pakhru tiger safari.
Rawat's properties have previously attracted attention from investigative agencies, including the Uttarakhand Vigilance Team, which raided an institute in Dehradun and a petrol pump in Chhiddarwala linked to him.
The state Vigilance Chief confirmed that the properties raided by the team belong to Harak Singh Rawat and his son.
During the raids, it was discovered that two generator sets installed at these private locations were allegedly purchased with government funds.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the latest vigilance operation against Harak Singh Rawat's properties.
The vigilance chief refrained from confirming any direct involvement of Harak Singh Rawat in the misuse of government funds, stating that the investigation is ongoing and all details will be disclosed upon its conclusion.
ADVERTISEMENT
