Karnataka: Forest Officer Caught on Video Asking for Bribe from Farmer, Sparks Outrage

A Karnataka Forest Department staffer was caught on video allegedly asking a farmer for a bribe while assessing crop damage. The viral clip has triggered outrage online, with netizens demanding strict action against the official.

A video allegedly showing a Karnataka Forest Department staff member asking a farmer for a bribe has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage. The clip, which appears to show the official openly seeking money under the pretext of “expenses”, has raised serious concerns about corruption at the grassroots level. Several users have tagged Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, demanding strict action against the individual involved. The incident has also sparked a debate on accountability and the treatment of farmers already facing financial distress due to crop losses.

Alleged Bribe Demand Captured on Camera

In the viral video, the official is heard asking the farmer, “Will you give something for my expenses?”  and he farmer reportedly refused to pay the bribe. The conversation was secretly recorded and has since been widely circulated online, drawing sharp criticism from the public.

Background: Compensation for Crop Damage

In villages located near forest areas, crop damage caused by wild animals is a frequent issue. Forest Department officials are responsible for visiting affected farms, assessing the damage, and preparing reports for the government. Based on these reports, compensation is provided to farmers who have suffered losses.

However, in this case, the official allegedly demanded money while carrying out such an inspection. Social media users have questioned this conduct, pointing out that government employees are already paid salaries to perform these duties.

Public Outrage and Demand for Action

The video was shared on X by a user named Ravi Keerthi Gowda, who alleged that the officer demanded a bribe from a farmer whose areca and banana crops were destroyed in an elephant attack. In his post, he claimed that the officer suggested he would inflate the damage figures in exchange for money.

He also tagged Minister Eshwar Khandre and the official Forest Department handle, calling for legal action against the officer. The post has since attracted significant attention and criticism from netizens.

Details from the Viral Video

According to the video, the officer is heard stating that he had identified 65 damaged plants during the inspection. He allegedly told the farmer that he would increase the number in the report if he was paid an “expense” amount, but would otherwise record only the actual damage observed.

Throughout the interaction, the farmer can be heard responding minimally, suggesting reluctance to engage with the demand. It appears that the farmer did not pay the bribe, and the official recorded only the observed damage.

Questions Over Accountability

The incident has raised serious concerns about corruption and misuse of authority. The alleged demand suggests an attempt not only to extract money from a distressed farmer but also to manipulate official records for financial gain, which could result in losses to the government.

As of now, the identity of the officer and the exact location of the incident have not been officially confirmed. Authorities are yet to respond, and it remains to be seen what action will be taken following the public outcry.