Agartala : The Tripura Forest Department has removed Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Gaurav Ravindra Wagh from his post as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), South Tripura, after a man allegedly linked to him was arrested with nearly Rs 60 lakh in cash at Agartala Railway Station.

The arrested individual, identified as Rajendra Chintaman Kankachila, was produced before a court and remanded to police custody until April 29 for further investigation.

In an official order, R.K. Samal directed Wagh to report to the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force until further orders. The charge of DFO, South Tripura, has been handed over to Kamal Bhowmik as additional responsibility. Wagh has been instructed to join the Forest Headquarters by April 25.

According to officials, the Special Branch and the Government Railway Police detained Kankachila during a checking operation at the railway station. Investigators suspect he was preparing to board a train to Kolkata when the cash was recovered.

Sources said the accused arrived at the station in a black Scorpio vehicle bearing the nameplate of the South Tripura DFO. During security checks, one bag was reportedly inspected while another was initially not opened, raising suspicion among officials. He was subsequently detained and the cash seized.

During questioning, the accused allegedly claimed that Wagh was a distant relative. Authorities said this claim is being verified as part of the ongoing probe.

Officials confirmed that the accused has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with investigators examining the source of the seized money and any possible links to the forest officer.

“We have produced him before the court, and the court has sent him to police remand until April 29. We are investigating the matter,” an official said.

The case has drawn significant attention in Tripura, with authorities closely monitoring developments amid the high-value cash seizure and potential official connections under scrutiny.