Forest officer held for accepting ₹23,000 bribe

The state government, in January 2015, had launched a survey to map all land holdings of farmers and ascertain the ownership titles of all plots using satellite technology.

The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in Palghar arrested an employee of the Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (MFDC) on Monday for allegedly accepting ₹23,000 as bribe from a farmer, in return for a favourable satellite survey report of his farm.

The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in Palghar arrested an employee of the Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (MFDC) on Monday for allegedly accepting ₹23,000 as bribe from a farmer, in return for a favourable satellite survey report of his farm. (Representative Image) (HT File)

The state government, in January 2015, had launched a survey to map all land holdings of farmers and ascertain the ownership titles of all plots using satellite technology. With this system, farmers and private purchasers can get records of all genuine landowners. The survey was meant to eliminate any confusion related to land ownership.

“The arrest is the first such case recorded after the introduction of the satellite survey of land holdings in the state,” said Ajay Aphale, deputy superintendent of police, Palghar.

The accused, Dinesh Shivde, 29, had allegedly accepted ₹10,000 from the 39-year-old farmer from Ambeda village in Somta, Palghar, earlier in March. “Shivde, however, demanded another ₹25,000 from the victim,” said Aphale.

The amount was then negotiated to ₹13,000. After the farmer complained to the ACB, a trap was laid on Monday and Shivde was arrested while accepting the bribe. Shivde was booked under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1988. “Shivde was arrested and produced before the Dahanu court on Tuesday,” said Aphale.