Guwahati, 01 May (HS): A Forest Ranger posted in Assam’s Lakhimpur district was apprehended by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on Friday after allegedly accepting a bribe, officials said.

The action followed a complaint accusing Sibasish Sandilya, an Assam Forest Service (AFS) officer serving as Ranger of Lakhimpur Range, of demanding ₹6,000 per vehicle every month from a transporter in exchange for allowing unhindered movement of vehicles carrying forest produce.

Refusing to comply with the demand, the complainant approached the anti-corruption agency, prompting officials to initiate legal proceedings and plan a trap operation.

Acting on the complaint, a team from the Directorate conducted a trap at the official residential quarters within the Range Office campus in Lakhimpur on May 1. Sandilya was caught red-handed immediately after receiving ₹12,000 as part of the alleged bribe. The tainted money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses.

Following the operation, a case was registered at the ACB Police Station under Case No. 07/2026 under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018).

Officials said the accused officer has been arrested based on prima facie evidence, and further legal proceedings in the matter are currently underway.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash