The national operations performed by the and anticororic office (VACB) revealed extensive corruption in forest offices and revealed evidence that officials gather more than 1.07 crore as bribes and commissions from suppliers.
Operations named on the code “Operation Vanaraksha” was carried out on Saturday at 71 forest reach offices within Kerala.
The inspection revealed a deeply rooted connection between forest officers and suppliers. It was found that projects including road work, check-dam and culverts, tank fencing, soil protection and tribal settlement initiatives have been cured over the last five years with extensive financial practices.
Inflated accounts
It was found that the accounts were inflated far for real measurements, non -standard works were handed over as complete and in some cases the projects were abandoned, although complete payments were released. The Vigilance probe also found that the sales records were falsified in many offices.
Sleuths confiscated cash in the amount of 11,500 GBP directly from officers, along with documents proving the Benami contract and evidence of bribe of money, which is transferred through online transfers, UPI transactions and accounts of relatives and intermediaries.
Converted
The Inspectorate in the office of the Vallakkadava Forest Office revealed that the supplier transferred the officer and his relatives between June to September and his relatives and his relatives. In addition, 1.36 GBP Lakh was reportedly transferred by the same supplier to the EDAppally device account, allegedly after the officer’s reception. At the Vattavad Range Forest Office, it was found that the supplier allegedly transferred 31.08 GBP to various bank accounts of the forestry officer, his relatives and suspicious intermediaries.
The Vigilance officers confiscated 8,500 GBPs from the table of an official in the office of Edavanna Range Forest in Malappuram. It was also found that the forestry officer received 14,500 GBP through the UPI payment from suppliers, while in the Karulai Range Forest office, unclassified money was found in the amount of 2,900 GBP.
Found drunk
In the Parottru Forest Range office in Thiruvananthapurama, a service driver was found on duty. The local police had to be invited for the next event, the official sources said.
The VACB probe also found irregularities in compensation provided for wild animal attacks. Many offices found that compensation was awarded, despite the absence of sufficient medical documents.
Published – 28 September 2025 20:10
