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Dr. Vinay Kumar Bhargav, at the centre of the eco-tourism scam allegations, against the backdrop of the controversial eco-huts in Munsiyari.
Uttarakhand Eco Tourism Scam: IFS Officer Transferred
On 24 August 2025, The Probe published an investigation that first exposed the Uttarakhand eco-tourism scam. Following this, we reported how the whistleblower, IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi, who blew the lid off the scam, was abruptly transferred. Now, under mounting public and political pressure following the exposé, the Dhami government has moved against the officer named in the Uttarakhand eco-tourism scam — IFS officer Dr. Vinay Kumar Bhargav.
Dr. Bhargav faces serious allegations of corruption, illegal construction inside forest land, diversion of revenues, and fabrication of official records. In December 2024, Chaturvedi’s report accused him of sanctioning permanent concrete structures inside the fragile Khaliya Reserve Forest in Munsiyari without clearance, misappropriating over ₹1.6 crore, diverting 70% of tourism revenue to a society before it was even registered, and approving expenditure on 90 km of non-existent fire lines.
In the latest reshuffle, Dr. Bhargav, who was stationed as Conservator of Forest (West) in Haldwani, has now been shifted to Director of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Gopeshwar, Chamoli district. The move takes him away from a resource-heavy and influential post in Haldwani to a relatively isolated conservation role. While the Nanda Devi Biosphere is ecologically significant, officials note that the new assignment lacks the same power, budgetary control, and administrative clout.
The Probe had earlier reported how whistleblower Sanjiv Chaturvedi was shunted out after he exposed the scam. Instead of cracking down on those accused of financial irregularities, in an interview with The Probe, the state’s Principal Secretary, R.K. Sudhanshu, chose to question Chaturvedi’s authority to approach the Centre. Rather than seeking accountability from those allegedly involved in the scam, the government appeared more inclined to target the officer who reported it.
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The Probe had earlier interviewed Dr. Bhargav, where he maintained that all his actions were strictly in accordance with the rulebook. He had provided a detailed explanation defending his decisions. Now, in a fresh twist, The Probe has learnt that Dr. Bhargav has approached the Uttarakhand High Court challenging his transfer order. In his petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, he has termed the move illegal, arbitrary, and punitive, and argued that it violates cadre rules. The matter has been admitted and is listed for hearing on 1 September 2025.