Janardan Moon writes to forest officials over unheeded order on alleged forged papers

Nagpur: Janardan Moon, central president of the Nagri Hakka Sanrakshan Manch and a former corporator, has written to Dr Vinita Vyas, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nagpur Forest Division. In the letter he complains that in a serious matter, officials did not follow an order from above. Moon says Pratap Devani used forged documents to ensnare the office and got a criminal case registered. Action on this complaint was sought on December 9, 2025, but no concrete step has been taken so far.

According to the Manch, the Deputy Conservator of Forests' office issued an order on August 12, 2026. It directed the Range Forest Officer, Seminary Hills, to send a report on the matter immediately. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Tendu and CAMPA), Nagpur, who was instructed to have the report called for at once and submitted to the office within seven days.

The Manch alleges that the Range Forest Officer, Seminary Hills, has so far neither taken any action nor provided any information. It also says the Assistant Conservator of Forests did not follow the Deputy Conservator's order either and did not send the report within seven days.

In the letter dated October 6, 2026, Moon says the failure of both officers to follow the order is serious negligence. He demands that, as per rules, the case be handed to a senior officer and appropriate action be taken. He also wants the case sent to a senior officer and disposed of quickly.

A copy of the Deputy Conservator's office order of August 12, 2026 is attached to the letter. According to that order, the office had received a complaint from Moon (former corporator) dated July 27, 2026. The complaint alleged that on December 9, 2025, Pratap Devani used forged documents to ensnare the Range Forest Officer, Seminary Hills office and got a criminal case registered.

In the order, the Deputy Conservator's office had said the matter should be investigated directly and appropriate action taken. A report on the action taken, with a clear opinion, was to be submitted to the office within seven days. The report was to be examined by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Tendu and CAMPA), Nagpur, who was also directed to give the office the report with an opinion immediately.

The Manch says two months have passed since the order and still no action has been taken. According to the Manch, this raises questions about the way the forest administration functions.