Forest Officer Caught Red-Handed in Bribery Sting
In a significant crackdown on corruption within the forest department, Gajendra Singh, the forest range officer of South Nighasan range, faces suspension after being caught accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. The incident occurred on Friday when the anti-corruption department apprehended the officer while he was taking the bribe from a local villager.
Farmer's Complaint Triggers Investigation
The case came to light following a formal complaint by Puran Lal, a farmer from Pirthi Purva village in the Pilibhit district. According to the complaint, the forest officer had been repeatedly demanding money despite the farmer's requests for an official permit to fell a sheesham tree on his property.
Fed up with the continuous demands for illegal payments, the farmer approached the anti-corruption authorities, setting in motion a carefully planned operation. The anti-corruption team laid a trap based on the farmer's complaint and successfully caught Gajendra Singh in the act of accepting the bribe money.
Immediate Action and Ongoing Proceedings
H Rajamohan, the field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, took swift action following the arrest. He confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to the UP principal chief conservator of forests recommending the immediate suspension of the accused officer.
The arrest marks only the beginning of the legal process, as officials have confirmed that a comprehensive departmental inquiry will follow the criminal proceedings. This dual approach ensures that both disciplinary and legal actions will be pursued against the officer involved in the corruption scandal.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges of corruption within forest departments and the importance of robust anti-corruption mechanisms to protect both natural resources and citizens' rights.
