GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has granted bail to Sibasish Sandilya, a Forest Range Officer who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with an alleged bribery case.
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Sandilya, posted at the North Lakhimpur Range Office, was arrested in ACB Police Station Case No. 07/2026 under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to the case records, he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe on May 1.
Following his arrest, the Anti-Corruption Directorate conducted a search at his residence in Guwahati's Japorigog locality and reportedly recovered ₹5.68 lakh in cash, adding to the ongoing investigation.
While hearing the bail application, the High Court noted discrepancies in the timing of Sandilya's apprehension and formal arrest. The court observed that the tracking memorandum indicated he was apprehended at 2:45 PM on May 1, whereas the arrest memo recorded his arrest at 8 PM the same day.
Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia held that the gap amounted to a violation of the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the D.K. Basu case and constituted a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. The court also took into account that the petitioner had already spent 32 days in custody.
Allowing the bail plea, the court directed that Sandilya be released on bail upon furnishing a bond of ₹50,000 along with a surety of an equal amount to the satisfaction of the Special Judge, Assam, at Guwahati.
The investigation into the alleged bribery case remains ongoing.