Forest guard in Shirpur taluka caught taking bribe from farmers for drought relief papers

Dhule: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught a 30-year-old forest guard at the Sangvi forest range office in Shirpur taluka red-handed taking a bribe from farmers for forest-rights documents (J-forms) needed to claim drought relief. He has been arrested, and a case has been registered at Shirpur taluka police station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

With Shirpur taluka declared drought-hit, farmers who were given land by the forest department for their livelihood need forest-rights documents to claim relief. The complainant had submitted applications for his father and 14 other farmers of Wakwad village at the Sangvi range office. When he asked about them on October 8, the forest guard demanded ₹100 per application, ₹1,500 for 15, according to the complaint lodged with the ACB.

After verifying the complaint in the presence of witnesses, the ACB laid a trap and caught the guard accepting ₹1,500. The action was carried out by a team under police inspector Padmavati Kalal, guided by deputy superintendent Sachin Salunkhe.

The ACB has urged farmers to complain if anyone demands money for the benefits of government schemes.

Sources: Pudhari; Loksatta