Hem Chandra, a forest beat officer, was caught red-handed while taking a bribe of `10, 000 from one Anil Kumar Bisht, resident of Shakti Farm, Udham Singh Nagar by a vigilance team from Haldwani on Wednesday evening. The bribe was sought for allowing him to continue operating Coal kiln in Shakti Farm area, Udham Singh Nagar, said SP (Vigilance) Haldwani Pankaj Bhatt.
In his written complaint, Bisht stated that the forest beat officer had sought Rs 10, 000 to let him continue operating his Coal Kiln. This, despite the fact that he was having permission for the same from the forest department, he added.
Angered over the forest beat officer seeking bribe in such an unabashed way, Bisht had approached the vigilance department, sector Haldwani on September 22 and registered a complaint.
Bhatt said that after verifying the initial complaint with the help of vigilance inspector, the teams had drafted a plan to trap the accused. SP Vigilance subsequently formed a trap team. After the complaint was found correct, the vigilance department sought permission from the department concerned. After it was obtained, the team was asked to trap the accused.
Following the direction of vigilance officer, Bisht again met the forest beat officer and finalised the deal. Bhatt announced reward to the team members for cracking the case.