CBI nabs forest official for bribe in Handwara

Handwara, July 10: Sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested a forest official in Watayen area of North Kashmir’s Handwara subdivision for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 in exchange for processing the assessment of walnut trees cut down for a government project.According to reports, the arrested official has been identified as Mohammad Maqbool Dar. He allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹20,000 from Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Pohrupet village, whose walnut trees were felled several years ago when the government acquired his land for the construction of a water reservoir.In order to receive compensation for the trees, Ahmad was required to obtain a valuation report from the Forest Department. However, despite several years of persistent efforts, the assessment was never provided. Ahmad claimed that Dar continued to delay the process and demanded bribes in return.He had reportedly paid ₹1,000 to a forester on Wednesday and also offered a cheque, which the official refused to accept. Instead, he was instructed to bring the amount in cash.Frustrated with the continued harassment and denial of rightful compensation, Ahmad approached the CBI. The agency laid a trap and caught the official red-handed while accepting ₹5,000 in cash at Watayen.The operation was conducted secretly by the CBI team, and the official was immediately taken into custody. Officials said further investigation is underway.