Retired Assam Forest officer’s extension in key post challenged

The Gauhati High Court has issued notices to the Assam government and other respondents after admitting a petition challenging the legal authority under which retired Indian Forest Service officer M.K. Yadava was reappointed as Special Chief Secretary (Forest) with “full financial and administrative powers”.

Filed on Monday (October 5, 2026), activist Amarjyoti Choudhury’s petition was the second in about a month. In September, the High Court issued a similar notice after hearing a petition by eastern Assam-based conservationist Rohit Choudhury, citing the Union Environment Ministry’s adverse observations against Mr Yadava in the past.

Amarjyoti Choudhury’s petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, does not challenge the government’s power to engage retired officials contractually. Instead, it asks whether a retired officer appointed on contract can be vested with substantive governmental powers ordinarily exercised under the State’s statutory, administrative and financial framework.