Guwahati/Lakhimpur, May 2, 2026: An officer of the Assam Forest Service who secured the top rank in the prestigious Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examination has been arrested by the Assam Police Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Directorate for allegedly accepting a bribe in Lakhimpur district.
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| Assam Forest Service officer allegedly caught red-handed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption team while accepting a bribe during a trap operation in Lakhimpur on May 1 |
According to officials, Shivashish Sandilya, currently serving as a Forest Ranger in Lakhimpur, was apprehended during a trap operation conducted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption team on May 1. The officer was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹12,000 from the owner of a dumper truck at his official residence.
The operation was launched after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Directorate received specific complaints alleging that Sandilya had been demanding illegal gratification in connection with his official duties. Based on the information received, investigators planned a trap operation and reportedly caught the officer immediately after the alleged exchange of money.
Following the arrest, the vigilance team initiated extensive search operations at properties linked to the officer. Raids were carried out at his official and residential premises in Lakhimpur as well as at his residence in the Shantipur locality near Zoo Road in Guwahati. The searches were conducted as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged corruption case.
During a search at his Lakhimpur residence, investigators reportedly recovered cash amounting to ₹5.68 lakh. Officials said the recovery has raised suspicions of disproportionate or unaccounted assets, prompting a wider investigation into the source of the money and the officer's financial transactions. Authorities are now examining whether the recovered cash is linked to other instances of alleged corruption.
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The arrest has drawn significant public attention because Sandilya had secured Rank 1 in the APSC examination before joining the Assam Forest Service. His academic achievement had earned him recognition as one of the state's brightest civil service recruits, making the allegations particularly shocking.
Officials stated that the investigation remains in its preliminary stage and that further evidence is being collected. They indicated that additional searches, financial scrutiny, and examination of official records may be undertaken as the probe progresses.
The Assam Police Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Directorate has reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against corruption in public offices, irrespective of an officer's rank or background. Further details are expected to emerge as investigators continue their inquiry into the case.
