Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Feb 8: A forester attached to the local range forest office, named K Sunil Kumar (36), was caught red-handed by a squad led by vigilance deputy superintendent of police, P P Kunhiraman.

The vigilance team had acted on a complaint made by Umesh from Shiribagilu. He had said that the forester named above was demanding Rs 10,000 for releasing truck loaded with timber being transported without supportive documents. After some negotiations, Sunil had accepted to scale down the amount of bribe to Rs 5,000, Umesh said.

The vigilance squad handed over currency notes coated with chemicals to Umesh. Immediately after these notes were handed over to the forester, the vigilance squad raided the place and arrested Sunil Kumar.

It is learnt that the truck in which timber was being transported without proper documents, had been confiscated last year. On January 23, 2012, the court, which heard the case, had ordered restoration of the truck to its owner. The complainant said that the forester stuck to the stand that he would not hand over the truck without payment of bribe, in spite of court orders.