Karnataka HC Questions Forest Department’s Criminal Case Against Assistant Commissioner Over Land Dispute

Quick Summary

• The Karnataka High Court expressed shock over the Forest Department’s registration of a criminal case against an Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Revenue Department for performing quasi-judicial functions.
• The AC had passed an order in 2022 declaring certain land in Tyavalli village,Hassan taluk,as ‘Sarkari Gomal’ (government grazing land) based on tenancy and rights records.
• The Forest Department disputed the classification, asserting the land was forestland but failed to produce supporting documentation for changes in official records.
• On appeal by the Forest Department, the Hassan Deputy Commissioner directed a reconsideration of the land’s status and gave sufficient prospect for hearings. Despite this remand order, the complaint against AC B.A. Jagadeesh was filed by IFoS officer Saurabh Kumar alleging violations under provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• Justice M. Nagaprasanna quashed this complaint while stating criminal proceedings in such cases lacked merit without evidence of criminal intent or misuse during quasi-judicial duties.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The Karnataka High Court’s decision underscores critical tensions between India’s administrative bodies and statutory frameworks over land classification disputes. While protecting forest areas remains a priority under conservation laws like India’s Forest (Conservation) Act, procedural fairness during adjudicative processes is essential to avoid undermining institutional trust among government actors working within their legal mandates.

The judgment serves as a reminder that governance mechanisms must balance environmental conservation with ensuring accountability through due process rather than criminalizing perceived errors arising from complex bureaucratic roles or legacy record discrepancies-a challenge frequently enough seen across diverse jurisdictions in India today.

read More: Published – July 16, 2025