Coimbatore: Forest ranger held for graft, admitted

COIMBATORE: A 42-year-old Forest department ranger was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting bribe and is being treated in Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) now after he complained of chest pain.

According to sources, Sakthi Ganesh, 42, was recently transferred to Attakatti forest training institute as ranger from the post of ranger for Valparai range in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).

While holding the post of ranger at Valparai range, Eucalyptus trees at Wiloney estate area inside his range was axed to clear exotic species; the work was carried out with the permission of district collector and DFO under the supervision of Sakthi Ganesh.

Uthiramsamy, a timber merchant who had taken the contract for clearing the trees, had recently asked Sakthi Ganesh to allow transporting the wooden pieces to the plains from hills for firewood. Uthiramsamy despite having the permission of DFO, the Valparai ranger Sakthi Ganesh had allegedly demanded `1.30 lakh as bribe for issuing the permit.

Uthirasamy had taken the issue to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVAC) sleuths; acting on the complaint the sleuths laid a trap and caught Sakthi Ganesh red -handed on Thursday evening while accepting the bribe.

Immediately, Sakthi Ganesh had requested the officials to take him to the hospital as he claimed to have suffered chest pain. After first-aid at Pollachi government hospital Sakthi Ganesh was transferred to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and is being treated amid police protection deployed at the hospital.