Horticulture inspector held for taking bribe to clear tree-felling permit

RUDRAPUR: A senior horticulture inspector posted in Kichha in Udham Singh Nagar district was arrested by the vigilance establishment on Thursday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 to grant permission for felling mango trees.The case came to light after a complainant approached the vigilance department, stating that he had purchased 16 mango trees from cultivators in Gaoghat village and required approval from the horticulture department to cut them. Horticulture inspector Pawan Kumar allegedly demanded a bribe to process the permit.“After verifying the complaint, a trap was laid, and the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe in his office,” an official said.Kumar was taken into custody on Thursday, and further legal proceedings have been initiated under the Prevention of Corruption Act.