Jharsuguda: In a swift operation, Odisha Vigilance on Friday, nabbed a Forester of the Brajrajnagar Range, Jharsuguda district, while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.5,000 to grant permission for cutting and transporting a dry eucalyptus tree from private land.
The accused forester was identified as Gouranga Sahu, Forester of Bandhbahal Section under Brajrajnagar forest Range, had reportedly demanded the bribe from a landowner seeking approval to remove and transport dry eucalyptus trees standing on his own land. The demand prompted the complainant to approach Odisha Vigilance.
Acting on the tip-off, a vigilance team laid a trap and caught Sahu red-handed inside the office premises on Friday. Officials said the accused attempted to flee on spotting the vigilance team but was swiftly intercepted. The entire bribe amount of Rs. 5,000 was recovered from his possession and seized as evidence.
Following the trap, simultaneous raids were underway at two different locations linked to Sahu to examine disproportionate assets, officials informed.
A case has been registered under Rourkela Vigilance P.S. Case No. 13 dated 04.12.2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is in progress.
Authorities said a detailed report will follow as teams continue their inquiry into the Forester’s alleged corrupt practices.
