Kalasa DRFO suspended for alleged fraud in trekking ticket scam
Chikkamagaluru: The Forest Department has suspended Kalasa Deputy Zonal Forest Officer, Chandan Gowda Dyamana Gowda, of the Koppa Forest Division following allegations of fraudulent activities involving the sale of fake trekking tickets.
The officer is accused of creating counterfeit tickets for popular trekking spots such as Rani Zari and Ballalarayana Durga in Mudigere taluk and selling them online. The funds from these ticket sales were allegedly transferred to an individual named Monika via PhonePe.
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The scam came to light when a trekker arrived at the site without prior online booking, leading to an investigation by forest department officials. It was discovered that Chandan Gowda had reportedly generated more than 10 fake tickets. Discrepancies were found between the official online booking records and the on-site registration book.
Following an investigation by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Upendra Pratap Singh ordered the suspension of Chandan Gowda on Monday. The investigation report confirmed that the officer had engaged in fraudulent activities, resulting in government losses.
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PWD, Google Maps officials booked in Bareilly bridge death case
Budaun (UP), Nov 25: Police here have booked officials of the Public Works Department and Google Maps in connection with the death of three men whose car rolled over an under-construction bridge while following directions on the navigation app, an officer on Monday said.
The car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge in Dataganj Police Station area early Sunday.
Nitin and Ajit, aged 30, both brothers from Farrukhabad district, and Amit, 40, from Mainpuri district, were on their way from Noida to Faridpur in Bareilly to attend a wedding.
According to police, the driver was led by Google Maps into taking the unsafe route.
The incident took place on the Bareilly-Budaun border.
Dataganj Police Station SHO Gaurav Bishnoi said an FIR on charges of laxity in duty and others was filed against four engineers of the PWD, along with some unknown people.
The regional officer of Google Map has also been brought under the scope of investigation. His name is yet to be included in the FIR.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Google in a statement said, "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. We're working closely with the authorities and providing our support to investigate the issue."
On Sunday, Faridpur Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said, "Earlier this year, floods caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse onto the river, but this change had not been updated in the system."
He said the bridge had no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach.
