Assam Forest Officials Nabbed for Bribery: A Deep Dive into Corruption

A Divisional Forest Officer in Golaghat, Assam was arrested for demanding a bribe to keep a work order intact. The officer initially demanded Rs 3 lakh, later reducing it to Rs 1.25 lakh. He was caught red-handed accepting Rs 30,000. Legal proceedings are ongoing.

A Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) was arrested on Thursday for allegedly accepting a bribe in Golaghat district, Assam, according to police.

The Vigilance & Anti-Corruption (V&AC) wing of Assam Police apprehended the officer from his Jonaki Nagar residence in Golaghat.

A complaint alleged that the Assam Forest Service (AFS) officer demanded Rs 3 lakh for not cancelling a work order, later reducing it to Rs 1.25 lakh.

“Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Directorate of V&AC for legal action against the public servant. A trap was laid at the DFO's official residence,” the release said.

The officer was caught red-handed accepting Rs 30,000 as part of the bribe, authorities said.

Legal follow-up actions are underway.

In a related incident, V&AC officers also arrested the Beat Officer of Gabharu Forest in Sonitpur district for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes.