Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gokak, Shivanand Naikwadi died in Belagavi on Monday, after a brief illness, family sources said.
The 42-year-old officer was admitted to a private hospital a few days ago for treatment of an acute liver disease.
Hailing from Byakod in Raibag taluk, he joined the Forest Department after his graduation. He was promoted to IFS cadre in 2017. He had served in Bengaluru, Belagavi and other places.
In February 2024, the State government suspended him on the charge of speaking rudely on the phone to Member of Legislative Assembly Duryodhan Aihole.
However, Central Administrative Tribunal quashed the order as being arbitrary, illegal, malafide and without jurisdiction. He was reinstated soon after.