Mumbai: Forest range officer caught taking Rs 2L bribe from shop owner

While Tonde and Sonawne were arrested, the third accused managed to escape. Pic/Hanif Patel

A forest range officer from Tungareshwar Gokhivare in Palghar district was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday while accepting bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a wine shop owner.

The officials from Thane ACB raided the office and caught officer Dilip Tonde and one of his staff members, identified as Sonawne, while accepting the bribe amount from a 45-year-old man, who runs a wine shop in Kaman area.

Read the latest crime stories in Mumbai and rest of India

According to the complainant, some of the places near his wine shop are under the jurisdiction of the forest department and Tonde filed fake encroachment cases against him.

"Tonde filed fake cases accusing me of encroaching upon the forest land. So far, he has filed three fake cases against me. He was demanding Rs 10 lakh to not register any case against me in the future. I complained to the ACB and they caught him red-handed," the complainant said.

Apart from Tonde, two more people were also involved. While Tonde and Sonawne were arrested, the third accused managed to escape.

Keep scrolling to read more news

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news