Thane Forest Department Staff Caught in Bribery Sting

Thane, Aug 29 (PTI) — In a significant operation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, two employees of the forest department in Maharashtra's Thane district were apprehended for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000. The suspects reportedly demanded the payment to avoid filing a case related to the illegal sale of peacock feathers, authorities disclosed on Friday. Following a complaint, officials nabbed Nilesh Sitaram Shravane, a 47-year-old forester (Class-3), and Machhindra Prakash Sontakke, a 25-year-old forest guard, according to inspector Sachin More. As per the details shared, Shravane initially demanded a sum of Rs 50,000 from the complainant to prevent a case from being registered against the complainant's relatives. However, the officer eventually reduced the demand to Rs 25,000 and instructed the complainant to pass the money to the forest guard Sontakke. As a result, a well-planned operation was executed to catch the accused while accepting the bribe. The accused forest personnel, now face charges under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigations into the case continue, ensuring strict action against any acts of corruption within government departments.