Guwahati/Lakhimpur, May 2, 2026: Assam Forest Service officer Shivashish Sandilya, who secured Rank 1 in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examination, has been arrested after allegedly being caught red-handed accepting a bribe in Assam’s 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, Sandilya, currently serving as a Forest Ranger in Lakhimpur, was apprehended by the Assam Police Vigilance and Anti-Corruption team on May 1 during a trap operation. He was allegedly caught at his official residence while accepting ₹12,000 from a dumper truck owner.
The operation was launched following specific complaints and inputs about alleged corruption. Acting on the information, the vigilance team laid a trap and detained the officer immediately after the alleged transaction.
Following the arrest, investigators conducted search operations at Sandilya’s residences in Lakhimpur and Guwahati. A raid at his Guwahati residence in the Shantipur locality near Zoo Road was carried out as part of the ongoing investigation.
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During another search at his residence in Lakhimpur, officials reportedly recovered ₹5.68 lakh in cash, raising suspicions of disproportionate or unaccounted assets. Authorities have launched a broader probe to examine the source of the recovered money.
The arrest has triggered strong public reactions, particularly because Sandilya had topped the APSC examination, making the case a matter of significant public concern.
Further investigation is underway, and officials said additional details will be revealed as the probe progresses.
