Forest official caught taking bribe for leave approval

Times News NetworkUjjain: An official at Mandsaur forest division was caught by Lokayukta police on Tuesday while accepting a bribe of Rs 3,000 from a forest guard to process his earned leave application.The official, Krishna Pratap Singh Rathore, was cornered near the office gate in Mandsaur after he took the cash from forest guard Lalit Meena and tucked it into his trouser pocket.According to Lokayukta DSP Dinesh Chandra Patel, guard Lalit Meena, who is posted in Gandhi Sagar range of Mandsaur, had submitted an online request on May 27 seeking 43 days of earned leave for medical treatment.The application was pending approval under the official, Krishna Pratap Singh Rathore ‘s login ID. He allegedly demanded Rs 3,000 as a bribe to clear the leave request. Meena then lodged a complaint with Lokayukta Superintendent of Police.Rathore met Meena near the office gate on Tuesday, accepted the marked currency notes, and walked back to his desk. A waiting Lokayukta team caught him in the presence of two independent government witnesses.A case was registered against Rathore under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.