Finally, justice for forest officials in Mathikettan issue

After a legal battle that stretched over 23 years, the government has finally sanctioned the service benefits to a group of forest officials who were suspended in connection with the 2002 Mathikettan land encroachment case.

An order issued by Forest Under Secretary Seetha S. Lakshmi states that the government had withdrawn all charges against the officials and their service and retirement-related benefits will be allotted. It states that the Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator had recommended to the government to withdraw the disciplinary action against the officials and restore the service during the suspension period.

“The government conducted a detailed scrutiny of the applications of the officials and the recommendations of the forest conservator and decided to drop all charges against them and restore the service-related benefits,” says the order.

On August 2, The Hindu had reported the plight of forest officials and their long wait for justice..

Mary Francis, wife of former Devikulam Range Officer V.K. Francis, who was among the suspended officials, says that he finally got justice. “We are pleased with the government order to restore service and retirement benefits of Mr. Francis and other officials. They have been made scapegoats in the Mathikettan issue. In reality, they had acted against the encroachers. Finally, the government has acknowledged their innocence,” she says.

K.K. Jayaprakash, another official, says the government move to drop charges has come as a big relief for them.

The land grab case in Mathikettan in Idukki district had grabbed headlines after the visit of the then Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan in 2002.

Following his visit, the government suspended six forest officials and seven revenue staff, accusing them of providing support to the encroachment. A Vigilance case was registered the same year, leading to a prolonged legal battle.

In February 2024, the Vigilance court in Muvattupuzha had acquitted all the 13 officers. Even a year after the verdict, the government did not withdraw the charges or restore the service benefits of the suspension period of the forest officials. Now, the government move has come as a big relief for them, say the officers.