Tue Nov 05 15:43:58 UTC 2024: ## Forest Watcher Arrested for Bribery in Kanniyakumari
**Kanniyakumari, November 5, 2024:** A Forest Watcher has been arrested for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from an ex-serviceman in Kanniyakumari.
The accused, Palraj (56), was caught red-handed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Tuesday. The complainant, Maharaja, an ex-serviceman working in Thiruvananthapuram, had applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department to construct a house on his 5.5 cents of land in Kulasekarapuram.
As the land falls under the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA), the NOC was mandatory. However, during an inspection of the site, Palraj demanded ₹10,000 as a bribe. He further harassed Maharaja at the District Forest Officer’s (DFO) office, demanding the money.
Maharaja, who had recorded the conversation with Palraj on his phone, filed a complaint with the DVAC. The DVAC, led by Inspector Sivasankari, laid a trap and apprehended Palraj. He has been arrested and is facing charges of corruption and bribery.
First Piper 