Action against corrupt Forest Range Officer in Maharashtra

[Anonymous]

A range officer of the forest department has been harassing me about the teak wood in my possession. I have genuinely purchased it but he suspects (perhaps to harass me) that I have stolen it from forest. He is demanding bribe of Rs. 10,000 from me for settling the case. What action can I take against him, also ensuring that I am not harassed in future?

[Dr. Ashok Dhamija]

You can file a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Maharashtra in respect of the demand of bribe by the Forest Range Officer. ACB has its branches in all districts of Maharashtra. Contact details of the local ACB offices can be seen on the website of Maharashtra ACB.

The ACB can lay a trap to catch the public servant concerned red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe from you. Usually, the ACB will help you subsequently in whatever legal work you have with the department concerned for which the bribe was being demanded, and will also ensure, to the extent possible legally, to protect you from harassment by the department concerned.

Before giving a complaint to ACB, if possible, you can record the demand of the bribe in your mobile phone. This may help subsequently to prove the demand of bribe.

     

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Dr. Ashok Dhamija is a New Delhi based Supreme Court Advocate and author of law books. Read more about him by clicking here. List of his Forum Replies. List of his other articles. List of his Quora Answers. List of his YouTube Videos.

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