DVAC arrests seven govt. staff in one week; seizes over ₹22 lakh in surprise checks

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested seven government employees across the State in separate trap cases between July 4 and 10 for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes for performing official duties.

Releasing a weekly report, the DVAC also said during the week, the DVAC also conducted surprise inspections at 11 government offices in Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Theni, Kanyakumari, Dindigul, Thanjavur, and Ranipet districts, jointly with district inspection teams. Officials seized ₹12.46 lakh in unaccounted cash from government offices.

Separate surprise checks at six inter-State vehicle check-posts led to the seizure of ₹9.87 lakh in unaccounted cash. In all, the agency recovered ₹22.33 lakh during the enforcement drive.

Among the trap cases, a junior assistant at the Tiruvennainallur Town Panchayat Office in Villupuram district was arrested on July 7 for allegedly accepting a ₹15,000 bribe to grant building plan approval. 

On the same day, a VAO in Tiruppur district was arrested for allegedly receiving ₹5,000 to transfer a patta for newly purchased land. 

On July 9, a Grade-II police constable attached to the J-7 Velachery Traffic Police Station in Chennai was caught allegedly accepting ₹4,000 to return a complainant’s two-wheeler documents. The DVAC said investigations are continuing in all the cases.