Did CBI Charge Delhi Forest Official and Aide for Bribery to Protect Temple?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, a Deputy Forest Officer and a Forest Guard in Delhi face serious allegations of bribery. They are accused of demanding Rs 95,000 to safeguard a temple from demolition. This case highlights the ongoing issue of corruption within government agencies. Will justice prevail for the temple priest?
Key Takeaways
- The CBI has charged two Delhi forest officials with corruption.
- Allegations include demanding a bribe to prevent the demolition of a temple.
- The temple priest filed a complaint after repeated bribe requests.
- The case highlights ongoing issues of corruption in public service.
- Legal action is being pursued against the implicated officials.
New Delhi, July 20 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charged a Deputy Forest Officer and a Forest Guard from the Delhi government for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Rs 95,000 from a temple priest to prevent the demolition of a temple located in the Old Rajinder Nagar area of the Ridge.
Named in the FIR are Rajesh Tandon, the Deputy Forest Officer, and Ajay, the Forest Guard, following a complaint filed by Priest Lalit Narayan Jha, whose temple is positioned along Sir Gangaram Hospital Road.
The FIR filed on Friday by the CBI includes serious allegations of criminal conspiracy and the demand for illegal benefits by public officials.
According to the complaint dated July 16, Priest Lalit Narayan reported that approximately 4-5 days prior, the Deputy Forest Officer informed him that the temple was constructed on forest land and that a complaint for its demolition had been lodged.
Tandon initially requested a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to refrain from demolishing the temple, accepting Rs 30,000 on the same day, as detailed in the complaint.
The priest also mentioned that the DFO returned the following day to take an additional Rs 10,000.
On July 15, a man identifying himself as Forest Guard Ajay demanded Rs 55,000 and advised the priest to consult Tandon for assistance in preserving the temple from demolition.
The priest stated that Tandon subsequently approached him again, this time demanding Rs 60,000.
Unwilling to comply with the bribe demands, the priest lodged his complaint on July 16, seeking actionable measures against DFO Rajesh Tandon and Forest Guard Ajay.
A verification report prepared by the CBI prior to the FIR indicated that Rajesh Tandon had accepted an undue advantage of Rs 40,000 from the complainant and subsequently sought an additional illegal payment of Rs 50,000 to avoid demolishing the temple.
Furthermore, the report uncovered that Ajay, the Forest Guard, had also received a bribe of Rs 55,000 from the complainant, leading to the recommendation for a formal case against both Tandon and Ajay under sections 61 (2) of BNS-2023 (criminal conspiracy) in conjunction with section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Point of View
It's imperative to advocate for transparency and integrity within government institutions. This incident is a reminder of the persistent challenges of corruption that society must address, ensuring that justice is served and public trust is restored.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the charges against the Delhi forest official?
The Delhi forest official, Deputy Forest Officer Rajesh Tandon, and Forest Guard Ajay are charged with criminal conspiracy and demanding undue advantage as public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
How much bribe was allegedly demanded?
The officials are accused of demanding a total bribe of Rs 95,000 from a temple priest to protect the temple from demolition.
What actions did the priest take?
The temple priest, Lalit Narayan Jha, lodged a complaint with the CBI after being pressured to pay bribes to avoid the demolition of the temple.
What is the location of the temple in question?
The temple is located in Old Rajinder Nagar, near Sir Gangaram Hospital Road, in New Delhi.
What does the CBI report say about the officials?
The CBI report indicated that both officials accepted bribes and detailed the amounts received from the complainant, leading to the filing of the FIR.
