The video clipping showing a forest officer of the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) assaulting a forest guard in order to get his signature on a particular document went viral on social media.
The incident took place in the office of the DCF in Kalasa on Thursday afternoon.
The officer, who has been identified as Balehole DCF M Veerabhadra Nayak had prepared a panchanama sketch for a regularisation of a government land under 94 C.
It is said that forest guard Keerthan N R of Totadooru beat was compelled to sign on the file. When Keerthan refused to sign the document, he was mercilessly beaten. Keerthan later filed a complaint with the Kalasa zonal forest officer.
The zonal forest officer said that the DCF in previous instances had behaved in a rude manner with his subordinates.
Senior officials in the forest department had issued a notice and sought an explanation from the DCF M Veerabhadra Nayak, sources added.