11 arrested in tendu leaf remuneration embezzlement case

Raipur, Jun 26 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing on Thursday arrested 11 persons including four forest personnel for their alleged involvement in the tendu leaf remuneration embezzlement case in Sukma district, a senior official said.

Deputy forest rangers Chaituram Baghel, Devnath Bhardwaj and Podiyami Idima (Hidma), and forest guard Manish Kumar Barse were among those arrested.

Besides, managers Payam Satyanarayan alias Shatru, Mohammad Shareef, CH Ramana (Chitturi), Sunil Nuppo, Ravi Kumar Gupta, Ayatu Korsa and Manoj Kawasi were also taken into custody, the official said.

Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Ashok Kumar Patel, posted as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sukma, was arrested in the case on April 17 this year.

The ACB/EOW had earlier said Patel, in connivance with officers of the forest department and managers and office-bearers of various Primary Minor Forest Produce Committees, allegedly embezzled a major portion of about Rs 7 crore meant for distribution as remuneration to tendu leaf collectors in 2021 and 2022.

On April 10, the ACB/EOW seized Rs 26.63 lakh from the premises of a forest department employee in Sukma district. PTI COR KRK