In a significant anti-corruption operation, officials from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) apprehended a village administrative officer in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district on Friday. The officer was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 to process a land document transfer application.
The Bribe Demand and Complaint
The case revolves around a resident named Ilayaraja, who lives in Ayyampalayam within the Attur taluk. Ilayaraja approached VAO Murugan, the village administrative officer of Manalur, with an application to transfer the patta (land ownership record) for a piece of land he owns in the village. Instead of processing the application through official channels, Murugan allegedly demanded an illegal payment of ₹10,000 as a bribe to move the file forward.
Unwilling to succumb to this corrupt practice, Ilayaraja decided to take a stand. He refused to pay the demanded amount and instead approached the DVAC, filing a formal complaint against the officer. His action set the stage for a meticulously planned trap by the anti-corruption sleuths.
The DVAC Trap and Arrest
Acting swiftly on the complaint, a team of DVAC officials laid a trap to catch the accused officer in the act. They coordinated with the complainant and set up a situation where the bribe money would be handed over. As planned, VAO Murugan was caught red-handed by the DVAC team on Friday while he was accepting the marked currency notes of ₹10,000 from Ilayaraja.
The successful operation led to the immediate arrest of the village administrative officer. This action underscores the DVAC's ongoing commitment to rooting out corruption at the grassroots level of administration, where citizens often interact directly with government officials for essential services.
Implications and the Fight Against Corruption
This arrest highlights a persistent issue in local governance, where officials misuse their authority for personal gain, exploiting citizens seeking basic documentation like patta transfers. The DVAC's intervention in Dindigul district sends a strong message about the consequences of such corrupt demands.
The case also demonstrates the importance of public participation in combating graft. By choosing to report the bribe demand instead of quietly paying it, Ilayaraja played a crucial role in enabling the authorities to take action. Such cooperation between vigilant citizens and anti-corruption agencies is vital for ensuring transparency and accountability in public service.
The arrested VAO, Murugan, now faces legal proceedings under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The incident serves as a reminder of the continuous vigilance required to uphold integrity in administrative processes.
