According to a complaint filed by the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Nashik (West), P D Rajput, at the Sarkarwada police station on October 28, Khaire's PA, Pande, threatened him on telephone on October 15 and 27, for conducting an inquiry against a Nashik range forest officer, Y H Pathan.

Rajput had been transferred from Chandrapur to Nashik about two years ago. The complaint says that on September 9, forest officials met at Sangamner (Ahmednagar), and decided to tighten vigil in view of timber and forest product thefts. Accordingly, range forest officers were asked to remain in their offices, while their superiors were asked to monitor their presence.

Rajput found that Pathan was not in his Harsul office from October 7 to 9 and issued him a show-cause notice. In a subsequent inquiry, Rajput found that Pathan was frequently absent,and conducted office from Igatpuri, about 90 km from Harsul.

A report was submitted to the Nagpur-based Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra, A N Balla. According to the report, Pathan was ``negligent'' and deserved punitive action.

On October 15, Rajput was allegedly threatened with transfer to Chandrapur for ``harassing'' Pathan. On October 27, Rajput called up the minister's office, when Pande allegedly took him to task for the inquiry report. Pande also allegedly told Rajput that Pathan was called to Mumbai from October 7 to 9, the period of his `unauthorised' absence.

Rajput claimed he was doing his duty, as per his superiors' orders, and planned to move the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal, fearing persecution.

The State Government had recently announced it would push for new laws to curb crime, including a three-year jail term for telephonic threats.