The Thane Social Forestry corruption allegations have intensified after complaints claimed that Sunil Shivram Kapse, who reportedly highlighted irregularities in plantation projects, was allegedly assaulted inside a government office. Complaints submitted by journalist Unmesh Gujarathi alleged financial irregularities involving plantation work, labour payments, and nursery operations under the Social Forestry Department in Thane and Navi Mumbai. The allegations also name several forestry officials, including Namrata Pawar and Rameshwari Bhongale. No independent agency or court has yet verified the allegations or established wrongdoing.

Thane Social Forestry Corruption Allegations Surface: Officer Assault Claim Triggers Demands for ACB and EOW Investigation

Serious allegations of corruption, fake labour records, poor-quality plantation work, and an alleged assault on a forestry officer have surfaced within the Thane Social Forestry Department, prompting complaints to multiple authorities.

The Thane Social Forestry corruption allegations have gained attention after claims that Forest Range Officer Sunil Shivram Kapse, who reportedly highlighted irregularities in plantation projects, was allegedly assaulted inside a government office in Navi Mumbai.

According to complaints submitted by Sprouts News Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi, alleged financial irregularities involving plantation projects, labour payments, and nursery operations may have caused significant losses to public funds under the Social Forestry Department, Thane.

The complaints refer to official reports prepared by Forest Range Officer Sunil Shivram Kapse, who allegedly raised concerns regarding plantation works and labour expenditure connected to projects undertaken in Thane and Navi Mumbai.

According to the allegations, Sunil Shivram Kapse acted after being inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public appeal encouraging citizens and officials to report corruption and wrongdoing through appropriate channels.

The complaint alleges that after submitting observations regarding plantation quality and labour-related concerns, Sunil Shivram Kapse was allegedly assaulted inside a government office by Forest Guard Sunil Shinde. These allegations have not been independently verified by Sprouts News.

Plantation Projects and Labour Records Come Under Scrutiny

According to the complaint, plantation and nursery-related works funded through District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) allocations are now under scrutiny for alleged procedural and financial irregularities.

The allegations claim that approximately 85,000 saplings at the Shilphata Nursery were reportedly processed using previously used plantation bags, while concerns were also raised regarding the viability and survival of certain saplings.

The complaint further alleges that plantation activities were officially recorded at locations including Turbhe-Airoli Road, Parsik Hill, Jewel Park Garden, Artist Colony, and Pokharan Firing Range during the 2024-25 period.

According to the allegations, actual survival rates of planted saplings were significantly lower than officially projected figures. The complaint claims that plantation survival at Pokharan Firing Range was negligible, while other locations reportedly recorded approximately thirty per cent survival.

Based on these observations, Sunil Shivram Kapse allegedly recommended withholding certain labour-related payments pending verification of plantation quality, survival rates, and completion status of the reported works.

The complaint claims that this recommendation led to disputes within the department and subsequently preceded the alleged assault incident involving Forest Guard Sunil Shinde.

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Allegations Against Senior Forestry Officials Raise Governance Questions

The complaint also names Forest Range Officer Pramod Thakar, Assistant Conservator of Forests Namrata Pawar, Divisional Forest Officer Rameshwari Bhongale, and Chief Conservator of Forests K. Pratipa.

According to the allegations, these officials failed to take adequate action following the reported assault and allegedly adopted a passive approach despite the seriousness of the allegations raised by Sunil Shivram Kapse.

The complaint further alleges that concerns regarding labour payments, plantation verification, and departmental supervision were not adequately addressed despite written reports submitted by the concerned forestry officer.

No court, audit authority, vigilance body, or independent investigative agency has yet established the allegations as proven facts. The officials named in the complaint have not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

Concerns Raised Over Possible Evidence Tampering Before Monsoon

A significant aspect of the complaint relates to allegations that new plantation activity may be undertaken before any official inquiry begins, potentially affecting verification of earlier plantation records.

According to Unmesh Gujarathi, there are concerns that fresh plantation work during the upcoming monsoon season could complicate efforts to assess the actual status of previously reported plantation projects.

The complaint therefore seeks immediate spot inspections, official panchnamas, videography, and documentation of the identified plantation sites before monsoon activities commence across the region.

Complaints have reportedly been submitted to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), seeking an independent investigation into the allegations involving plantation works, labour records, and departmental accountability.

The matter highlights broader concerns regarding transparency, monitoring mechanisms, quality control, and accountability in publicly funded environmental and afforestation projects across Maharashtra. Any determination of wrongdoing will depend on official investigations and verifiable evidence.

Readers’ Appeal

Unmesh Gujarathi, a senior investigative journalist in India and Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, has consistently reported on corruption, governance, environmental issues, and matters of public interest. Readers possessing credible documents, photographs, videos, or verified information relating to forestry projects, plantation works, public fund utilisation, or departmental irregularities may confidentially contact his investigative team on 9322755098. The identity of whistleblowers and sources will be protected responsibly in accordance with journalistic ethics and applicable law.

Editorial Note:

This article is based on publicly available FIR records, court case references, and reports published by multiple media organisations. The information is presented in the context of ongoing investigations and public interest reporting. Sprouts News does not make any judicial determination regarding the individuals mentioned and does not intend to defame any person or organisation. Any individual seeking clarification or wishing to provide an official response may contact the editorial team with verifiable documentation. The information is presented for journalistic and informational purposes.