The Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a forest guard in Malegaon after allegedly catching him accepting ₹6,000 from a farmer in connection with the transport of soil from agricultural land in Korhale Khurd, according to information released by the agency and reported by Sakal. The official had allegedly demanded ₹10,000 to avoid obstructing the work and assist with soil-filling activities.
The arrested official has been identified as Zaheer Siraj Sheikh, 47, a Class III forest guard and officer in charge of the Karanje round under the Forest Range Officer’s office in Baramati. The case relates to a four-hectare farm owned by the complainant at Korhale Khurd.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s account, soil from the farm was being carried away after rainwater caused it to flow towards the Nira river. The complainant had also been undertaking work to bring soil from the riverbed back to the farm. Sheikh allegedly demanded ₹10,000 in exchange for not stopping the work and for assisting with the soil-filling activity.
The complaint was filed on October 14, 2026. The complaint stated that ₹4,000 had already been accepted and that the remaining ₹6,000 was subsequently demanded. The Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau carried out a verification exercise on October 23 before arranging a trap in Malegaon on Sunday.
The trap was conducted near Hotel Shivkrupa, opposite the Industrial Training Institute. The agency said Sheikh accepted ₹6,000 from the complainant during the operation, after which he was taken into custody. The action was carried out by a team that included Police Inspector Santosh Patil, under the guidance of Pune Anti-Corruption Bureau Superintendent of Police Shirish Sardeshpande and Additional Superintendent of Police Ajit Patil.
The case was registered at Malegaon police station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The provision concerns a public servant allegedly accepting or attempting to accept an undue advantage in connection with official duties. The allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
The episode highlights how routine land and soil movement can bring farmers into contact with multiple regulatory authorities, including the forest administration where riverbed soil, land alteration or environmental concerns are involved. In this case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s operation followed a formal complaint, verification and a trap, while further action will be determined through the police investigation and court process.
