NAGPUR: Deputy conservator of forest (DyCF), Deepak Bhatt, was on Saturday nabbed by state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) with unaccounted cash Rs19.25 lakh, which he allegedly collected from forest guards and officials seeking transfers to choice postings.

The senior officer was intercepted with the cash just before boarding a Pune-bound bus near Bole petrol pump on Amravati Road. ACB team, under supervision of superintendent of police (SP) Rajeev Jain and additional SP Sanjay Purandhare, zeroed in on Bhatt after he got down from his official vehicle. He was brought to the ACB office for questioning.

On Saturday, TOI had reported how Bhatt had chosen to ignore the presence of tigers in Kondhali and Kalmeshwar ranges, ostensibly to facilitate the expansion plans of the Bazargaon-based Solar Industries India Limited. The company had sought forest land to expand its explosives factory.

It has been reliably learnt that Bhatt has issued transfer order of around 80 forest guards in the last few days under questionable circumstances. The postings of particularly 41 forest guards have now come under scanner. A source said Rs5 lakh was demanded for giving a lucrative posting at Bhandara Road check post.

Sources from ACB said Bhatt has claimed that the cash was meant for some ‘personal work’. “Bhatt stated that the amount was provided to him by some acquaintances and relatives for some work which the official did not specify,” the sources said.

According to an unconfirmed source, Bhatt had claimed that he had taken the money from his in-laws for his son’s admission. The agency will now question the sources mentioned by Bhatt in his statement.

SP Jain said he had received information regarding Bhatt’s plan to travel to Pune with substantial cash. “The informant had stated that Bhatt had collected the cash from the forest guards and rangers for shifting them to posts of their choices. The claim is now being verified,” he said.

Jain also said he has sent proposals seeking permission from state director general of police, ACB, to start action against Bhatt under section 13 (1) (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act for criminal misconduct for allegedly misusing official position for monetary gains and also under 13 (1) (e) for having disproportionate asset. “Bhatt’s entire movable and immovable assets and possessions, other wealth and records of income and monetary gains would be under scrutiny through an open inquiry,” said SP.

Principal secretary (forests) Vikas Kharge said he was not seized of the matter and stated that he was out of town.

Sources also informed that Bhatt, in his statement, has mentioned involvement of state forest minister’s secretary too in the choice transfers. However, forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar denied about knowing any such secretary employed with him or his department. He also assured to take stern action against Bhatt.

Earlier in April, ACB had twice laid a trap to catch Bhatt red-handed but in vain.

IN A NUTSHELL

* ACB received tip-off about DyCF Deepak Bhatt’s travel plan to Pune with substantial cash

* Bhatt intercepted near Bole petrol pump while boarding a Pune-bound bus

* Cash Rs19.25 lakh found in his possession

* Bhatt claimed that the cash was meant for some ‘personal work’

* Bhatt had issued transfer order of around 80 forest guards in the last few days under questionable circumstances

* Bhatt has alleged involvement of state forest minister’s secretary in choice transfers

