Overview
- State anti‑corruption officials say they conducted a trap that recovered Rs 80,000 from a forest range officer in Jagtial as evidence of an alleged bribe.
- The ACB alleges the payment was a 'reward' for facilitating official permission to fell 120 teak trees and for obtaining a transport permit.
- According to the agency, the officer first demanded Rs 2 lakh and the complainant had already paid Rs 1 lakh before the remaining amount was reduced to Rs 80,000.
- The ACB says the accused will be taken into custody, formally arrested and produced before a court while the matter remains under active investigation.
- Forestry permits and transport documents for valuable timber like teak are handled by officials and have historically been points of corruption risk, so the ACB trap and recovery step may prompt tighter oversight of local forest department processes.