Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 30: The sleuths of Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday trapped and arrested two employees of the Forest Department in Reasi district.
The ACB spokesman said that acting on a complaint against one Abneet Kumar presently posted at Beat Bharakh with additional charge of Beat Narla Bambal wherein it was alleged that he had taken one dry fallen Pine tree from the forest area. After a few days, the spokesman said that the Police Post Taryath contacted the complainant and told that the Forest Guard, namely Abneet Kumar, lodged a complaint against him for cutting/taking a tree from the forest without permission.
When the complainant met the police team, he told him to settle the matter with the Forest Guard following which he contacted the guard through a third party but in return, demanded ? 22,000 as bribe to withdraw the application and settlement. On this, he said that the complainant approached the ACB and lodged a complaint in Police Station ACB Rajouri for taking legal action against the Forest Guard. Since the contents of the complaint disclose demand of bribe by alleged accused public servant the same was verified through verifying officer who reported that prima facie commission of offences made out against the accused Abneet Kumar Forest Guard.
"However, during the trap proceedings, another forest official Sat Pal, In-charge Block Officer Thakrakote was also found involved in the conspiracy in connivance with Forest Guard Abneet Kumar," he added.
They were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from the complainant. Both of them were arrested on the spot after completing necessary legal formalities, said the spokesman. |
