Forest officials cheated of ₹1.25 lakh

Vigilance squad organises undercover operation after accused ‘informs them about a gang of poachers’

A team of forest officials, who planned an elaborate operation after being alerted about a gang of poachers, were conned of ₹1.25 lakh. “We are on the lookout for the culprit who was able to convince forest officials that he was an informer. This is a major embarrassment for the Forest Department,” said a police officer attached to Madanayakanahalli station. Based on a complaint filed by Anil Kumar G., Deputy Range Forest Officer with the vigilance squad, Aranya Bhavan, Malleswaram, the police have taken up a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against the accused, Siddu Sabanna. On April 6, Siddu walked into the Forest Department office and told officials that he had information about a group of poachers selling tiger pelts and elephant tusks. He was so convincing that officials agreed to run an operation where Siddu, under the guise of a buyer, would approach the poachers.