Senior forest official held on graft charge

A senior official of Sikkim Forest and Environment department was arrested for allegedly accepting Rs 50,000 as bribe in Gangtok.

A senior official of Sikkim Forest and Environment department was arrested for allegedly accepting Rs 50,000 as bribe in Gangtok.

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B P Gautam, Joint Secretary of Forest and Environment department, was allegedly accepting Rs 50,000 as bribe from a woman at his residence in Lower Sichey area of the state capital when he was caught red-handed by the Vigilance sleuths last night, vigilance department sources said.

Acting on a complaint by the woman Sumitra Rai that she was asked to pay Rs 50,000 for the post of forest guard, the officials laid a trap at Gautam's residence and he was caught along with the cash, sources said.