Kerala Govt Exonerates Two Forest Officials in Aralam LPG Distribution Case

The Kerala government has exonerated two suspended forest officials, Deputy Range Forest Officers Vijith C. and Maqsood C.P., following a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) inquiry into alleged procedural lapses in a 2017 LPG distribution scheme. The project aimed to provide gas connections to 195 below-poverty-line tribal households in the Aralam rehabilitation area of Kannur. The VACB initially flagged irregularities, including false entries in stock registers and the premature release of funds totaling ₹6.46 lakh, despite only 99 connections being distributed by mid-2018. The probe accused then-Assistant Wildlife Warden Madhusoodanan of misusing his position. However, the exonerated officials argued they acted on superior instructions and cited safety concerns and delays by the gas agency as reasons for the backlog. The government concluded that while procedural formalities were lacking, no financial loss occurred to the exchequer, and all eligible beneficiaries eventually received connections. Consequently, disciplinary proceedings against Vijith and Maqsood were closed. Conversely, recovery proceedings against the retired Madhusoodanan for an alleged loss of ₹54,740.50 plus interest will continue at the government level.