The vigilance team arrested a forest guard (secretary forest panchayat), Kalsi forest division, who was red- handed while accepting a bribe of Rs20, 000 in the presence of independent Government witnesses on Wednesday. The accused forest guard Kiran had allegedly sought the bribe from a sarpanch based in Kalsi who had lodged complaint, alleging that the forest guard had demanded the bribe for clearing the Government funds for an approved project.
It is learnt that the sarpanch registered the complaint at SP Vigilance, Dehradun sector, stating that under agrim mrida work plan involving river range, Kalsi forest division, Rs1, 88, 000 was approved for forest works for the year 2016-17.
As per the complaint, the forest guard released a cheque worth Rs50,000 in the name of the sarpanch. While taking the signature of the sarpanch on the cheque, Kiran asked him to give her the same amount as bribe. She, according to the complaint, said that all the cheques would be cleared after she received the bribe of
Rs50, 000. However, as the sarpanch pleaded his inability to give her Rs50, 000 in one go, she asked him to give a cheque of Rs20,000 initially. Koti Colony was fixed as the place for the exchange of the amount.
However, earlier, the complainant had approached the vigilance office based in Dehradun sector and registered a complaint over the same. Acting on the complaint, a team led by vigilance inspector was formed and the team drafted a plan to trap her.
A case under appropriate sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered against the accused in Dehradun sector vigilance.
DG vigilance Anil Kumar Raturi said that a toll free number – 1800-180-6666- has been made available for the people. People could also register complaint on What’s App number- 9456592300 if any government officials demand bribe against the works to be done, he added.