The long and arduous wait for justice has finally concluded for a group of forest officials entangled in the notorious 2002 Mathikettan land encroachment case. After more than two decades of legal battles, the government has officially sanctioned their service benefits, bringing a much-needed end to their ordeal.
An order, issued by Forest Under Secretary Seetha S. Lakshmi, confirms that all charges against these officials have been fully withdrawn. Consequently, all their service and retirement-related benefits will now be promptly disbursed. This decision follows a recommendation from the Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator, who advocated for the disciplinary action against them to be revoked and their service during the suspension period to be reinstated.
“The government meticulously reviewed the officials’ applications and the forest conservator’s recommendations, ultimately deciding to dismiss all charges and restore their service-related benefits,” the order stated.
This development comes after a prominent media outlet had previously highlighted the distressing plight of these forest officials and their prolonged quest for justice in an August 2nd report.
Mary Francis, the wife of V.K. Francis, a former Devikulam Range Officer and one of the suspended officials, expressed immense relief, noting that her husband had finally received justice. “We are overjoyed with the government’s directive to reinstate the service and retirement benefits for Mr. Francis and the other officers. They were unjustly made scapegoats in the Mathikettan affair, despite actively opposing encroachers. We are grateful that the government has now recognized their innocence,” she shared.
K.K. Jayaprakash, another affected official, echoed these sentiments, calling the government’s decision to drop the charges a “huge relief.”
The Mathikettan land grab case, located in Kerala’s Idukki district, first made national headlines in 2002 after a visit from then-Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan. Following his visit, six forest officials and seven revenue staff members were suspended, accused of facilitating the encroachment. A Vigilance case was promptly registered that same year, setting off the protracted legal struggle.
In February 2024, the Vigilance court in Muvattupuzha fully acquitted all 13 officers. Despite this clear verdict, a year passed without the government withdrawing the charges or restoring the service benefits for the period of their suspension. Now, this latest governmental action brings a decisive and welcome resolution to the long-suffering officials.