SIT is seen at Bangle Gudde area. Image Credit: Deccan Herald
Violation?: Karnataka forest department refuses to share details on Bangle Gudde, citing SIT probe
Bengaluru/Mangaluru
In what may be a violation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the Belthangady Forest Range office of the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has refused to divulge information sought regarding Bangle Gudde.
The reason given by the department’s Public Information Officer is that “details cannot be shared as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing cases pertaining to Dharmasthala.” Citing an unrelated investigation to withhold information may amount to a violation of the Act.
On the other hand, sources in the SIT told blrpost.com, “the top SIT officer himself is wondering how the Forest Department has dragged the probe into this to conceal information from the public.”
Ashwin Kumar B, an RTI activist from Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, had sought six different details from the KFD. The information requested includes certified copies of the boundary map and all records reflecting land-use changes, forest conversions, or plantations carried out in Bangle Gudde forest in Dharmasthala village from 2005 to 2025. He also sought copies of internal reports, inspection notes, and all correspondence relating to any digging, burial, or excavation activities within the forest area.
Further, he requested copies of any orders, permissions, or written approvals issued by the department for the burial or interment of human bodies or remains in the Odbi Raka forest area during the said period.
Additionally, he sought copies of all departmental inquiries or inspections conducted between 1998 and 2014 concerning burials or illegal excavation activities. If such records are unavailable, he asked for a “No Record Available” certificate with written reasons.
He also requested copies of all beat and patrolling diaries for Bangle Gudde forest from 2005 to 2025, indicating dates, duty officers, patrol routes, and entries relating to illegal activities. Lastly, he sought a year-wise list of all Forest Guards, Range Forest Officers, ACFs, and DCFs posted in the Bangle Gudde forest area, along with copies of any corresponding inspection or field visit reports.
The document shows that the Belthangady Range Information Officer allegedly used the SIT probe as a reason to withhold the details. Sources in the SIT said the Information Officer has not written any letter to the Investigating Officer regarding this matter.
The sources also said the SIT has not instructed the Forest Department to withhold the information requested by the activist. According to them, the activist may file an appeal, and the SIT has no objection to the Forest Department sharing the information, as the questions raised are unrelated to the investigation currently being conducted by the SIT.