Sultan Bathery: The forest department has suspended a forest range officer, pending an enquiry into the alleged brawl with colleagues. The officer has been identified as N Roopesh, elephant squad range officer at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Additional principal chief forest conservator Dr P Pugazhendi ordered suspension based on a probe report submitted by the vigilance and forest intelligence additional principal chief forest conservator over the allegation. 

It has been alleged that Roopesh and three of his friends stayed at a camp shed inside the forest and indulged in a brawl. The report stated that the officer misused the official mechanism and dishonoured the department.

In the wake of this, stringent action was recommended against the officer by the vigilance and forest intelligence additional principal chief forest conservator.