The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam, has arrested a Divisional Forest Officer of Kokrajhar district on charges of accepting a bribe in connection with the release of payment bills.
According to an official press release issued on May 19, the arrested officer has been identified as Abinash Basumatary, Divisional Forest Officer of the Parbatjhora Forest Division in Kokrajhar district under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
The vigilance department stated that a complaint was lodged alleging that Basumatary had demanded Rs 9.75 lakh from a complainant for clearing pending bills. Unwilling to pay the full amount, the complainant approached the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption seeking legal action.
Following the complaint, a trap operation was conducted by the vigilance team at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer in Suparighat on May 19. Officials said Basumatary was caught red-handed immediately after allegedly accepting Rs 2 lakh as part of the demanded bribe amount.
The tainted cash was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses and seized by investigators.
A case has been registered at the Anti-Corruption Branch Police Station under Section 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018. Officials confirmed that the accused officer has been arrested and further legal proceedings are underway.