Guwahati: A divisional forest officer (DFO) in Assam's Golaghat district was arrested on Thursday for allegedly taking bribe. Police gave this information.

He said that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (V&AC) branch of Assam Police caught the officer from his residence in Jonaki Nagar, Golaghat.

A complaint was received that an Assam Forest Service (AFS) officer had demanded a bribe of Rs 3 lakh for not canceling the work order issued in favor of the complainant, the police said in a statement.

Later, the DFO reduced the amount to Rs 1.25 lakh.

“Not being willing to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the V&AC Directorate to take necessary legal action against the public servant. Accordingly, a trap was laid by a team at the official residence of the DFO,” the release said.

It said the officer was caught soon after accepting Rs 30,000 as bribe from the complainant.

Police said necessary legal follow-up action is underway.

In a similar development during the day, the beat officer of Gabhru forest in Sonitpur district was arrested by V&AC officials for allegedly demanding and accepting bribe.