IFS officer Gaurav Ravindra Wagh suspended in Rs 60 Lakh cash seizure case

Controversial Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Gaurav Ravindra Wagh, whose name surfaced in a major cash seizure case, has been suspended from service with immediate effect.

Wagh, a 2020 batch IFS officer, was earlier removed from his post as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of South Tripura after a person allegedly linked to him was arrested at Agartala Railway Station with nearly Rs 60 lakh in cash.

Following the incident, Wagh was attached to the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Tripura, in Agartala, while disciplinary proceedings against him were under consideration. However, after the seizure of the huge cash amount from his relative, the accused officer reportedly fled the state.

In an order issued on Tuesday, the Under Secretary to the Government of Tripura stated that the competent authority, exercising powers under Clause (a) of Sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, placed Gaurav Ravindra Wagh, IFS (TR:2020), under suspension with immediate effect.

The order further stated that during the suspension period, Wagh’s headquarters will remain at Agartala and he will not be allowed to leave the headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the police’s failure to apprehend Wagh, who is facing allegations related to corruption and money laundering.

Dr Saha reportedly criticised Director General of Police Anurag and asked him to review the investigation process amid allegations against Crime Branch officials regarding discrepancies in the seizure report, which allegedly helped Wagh escape.

According to reports, Wagh’s relative, Rajendra Chintaman Kankachila, was detained at Agartala Railway Station on April 23 with over Rs 60 lakh in cash. However, the official seizure report mentioned only Rs 60 lakh. Allegations have also surfaced that procedural lapses by a team led by DIG Crime Branch Sanjoy Roy during the arrest may have been deliberate, raising suspicion of possible collusion to protect the suspended officer.