Chennai , 12 July (H.S.): In a statement on Sunday , Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) Director A. Arun said the agency seized ₹22.33 lakh in unaccounted cash and arrested seven government officials in bribery trap cases during a week-long statewide anti-corruption drive conducted between July 4 and July 10.
The operation, which covered several districts across Tamil Nadu, included surprise inspections at government offices and vehicle checks at State border checkposts as part of the DVAC's continuing efforts to curb corruption and improve vigilance in public administration.
According to the statement, DVAC officials conducted surprise inspections at 11 government offices in Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Theni, Kanniyakumari, Dindigul, Thanjavur and Ranipet districts, recovering ₹12.46 lakh in unaccounted cash. Another ₹9.87 lakh was seized during inspections at State border checkposts, taking the total recovery during the drive to ₹22.33 lakh.
The anti-corruption agency also registered seven successful trap cases during the period. Among those arrested were Junior Assistant Balamurugan in Villupuram, who allegedly accepted ₹15,000 to approve a building plan, and Village Administrative Officer Abdul Rahman in Tiruppur, who was allegedly caught receiving ₹5,000 to process a patta transfer application.
On July 9, Police Constable Alaguraja of the Velachery Police Station in Chennai was allegedly caught accepting ₹1,000 to return a confiscated two-wheeler licence. On the same day, a Sub-Inspector attached to the Thirupuvanam Police Station in Sivaganga district and Village Assistant Ganesan were arrested in separate cases for allegedly accepting ₹3,000 each to facilitate a marriage-related matter and a patta name transfer, respectively.
The following day, Taluk office assistant Aaron in Kallakurichi was allegedly caught accepting ₹2,500 for processing a patta name transfer, while Land Surveyor Shankar in Tenkasi was arrested after allegedly demanding and accepting ₹10,000 for a similar request.
In a separate development, the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases in Villupuram convicted former Tahsildar Adhibagavan and former driver Kandasamy in a bribery case. According to the DVAC, the court sentenced both to three years' imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1,000 each.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
