Maharashtra: Suspended forest officer M S Reddy arrested in reference to suicide of RFO

SENIOR Indian Forest Service officer M S Reddy, who was earlier suspended in reference to the suicide of forest officer Deepali Chavan of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), was arrested on Thursday by Amravati Rural Police.
Chavan, who was Range Forest Officer at Harisal in MTR, had shot herself with a service pistol on March 25. In a suicide word she had left behind, she alleged extreme psychological harassment by her senior officer, Deputy Commissioner of Forest Vinod Shivkumar. In the word, she had additionally stated that MTR Field Director M S Reddy had didn’t take motion towards Shivkumar regardless of her grievance to Reddy about Shivkumar’s misconduct along with her. She had additionally stated that she felt that Reddy wouldn’t take motion towards a fellow IFS officer.
Reddy, an officer of the rank of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF), was arrested from his official residence in Nagpur on Thursday and has been remanded in police custody for 2 days.
A press word issued by the police acknowledged, “Reddy has been found prima facie responsible for abetment of Deepali Chavan’s suicide as per the contents of the suicide note, in which she has written about mental harassment by Reddy and his inaction against DCF Vinod Shivkumar, forcing her to commit suicide. Hence he was arrested on Thursday.”
In the suicide word, nonetheless, Chavan had additionally stated that solely Shivkumar be held accountable for her taking the acute step. Chavan had additionally stated a number of good phrases for Reddy, saying he was at all times supportive and she or he felt secure when he was round.
Chavan’s suicide had generated quite a lot of political warmth, with Teosa MLA and State Minister for Women and Child Development Yashomati Thakur and Amravati Independent MP Navneet Rana demanding Reddy’s arrest. Reddy was later put below suspension pending inquiry.
The Forest division has instituted its personal departmental inquiry, which is but to be accomplished. Another inquiry has been instituted by the state authorities below senior IPS officer Pradnya Sarode, whose report can also be awaited.
Meanwhile, the Forest division has appointed Jayoti Banerjee as the brand new MTR Field Director. Asked if a lady officer’s appointment was aimed toward sending a symbolic message, Principal Secretary (Forest) Milind Mhaiskar stated, “Her promotion was due and we had to give her a field posting. So, we appointed her as MTR field director. Any symbolism behind this can be seen as purely coincidental.”