PUNE: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a forest guard posted in the Saswad region for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹1 lakh from a young farmer to avoid legal action under forest laws.
The accused has been identified as Govind Rameshwar Nirde (32), who was working at the Saswad forest range office. A case has been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act following a formal complaint lodged by the farmer at Saswad police station.
According to Superintendent of Police (ACB), Shirish Sardeshpande, the complainant, a local farmer, had dug a pit on forest department land to create a pasture for his domestic animals. Upon learning that the act violated forest department rules, the farmer promptly filled the pit. Despite this corrective step, Nirde allegedly threatened to initiate strict action under the Forest Act and demanded a bribe of ₹2 lakh to drop the matter.
Following negotiations, the accused reportedly agreed to settle for ₹1 lakh. The farmer then approached the ACB and lodged a formal complaint. A verification process was carried out, and once the bribe demand was confirmed, the ACB laid a trap.
Nirde was caught red-handed accepting the bribe in the Veer Phata area of Saswad on Friday afternoon.
The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of the ACB to root out corruption in government departments. Further investigation is underway.
