Agartala, 24th April 2026: The Tripura Forest Department has reassigned Gaurav Ravindra Wagh, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, from his position as South District Forest Officer following the arrest of a man carrying Rs 60 lakh in cash at Agartala Railway Station.
The arrested individual is said to be a distant relative of the officer. According to an official order issued by R.K. Samal, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force, Wagh has been instructed to report to the Forest Headquarters and serve under the PCCF until further notice. During this period, the responsibilities of the South Tripura DFO will be handled additionally by Kamal Bhowmik, TFS Grade-I, who is currently the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer of Sabroom. The directive requires Wagh to join the headquarters by April 25, 2026.
Tripura Police yesterday arrested Rajendra Chintaman Kankachila at Agartala Railway Station after recovering approximately Rs 60 lakh in cash from his possession. Officials stated that he was likely en route to Kolkata by train.
Sources said the arrest followed suspicion when a vehicle linked to the DFO office arrived at the station early in the morning. While one bag was checked, the accused allegedly resisted inspection of another bag, prompting further scrutiny and subsequent detention.
Authorities have booked him under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Police confirmed that he has been remanded to custody until April 29 as investigations continue into the source and intended use of the cash, as well as possible links to the Forest Department official.
