Coimbatore Record Clerk Arrested by DVAC for Accepting Bribery in Legal Heir Certificate Case
In a significant anti-corruption operation, sleuths from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested a record clerk in Coimbatore on Friday evening for allegedly accepting a bribe. The arrest occurred when the clerk was caught red-handed receiving ₹7,000 from an individual in exchange for issuing a legal heir certificate.
Details of the Arrested Clerk and the Incident
The arrested individual has been identified as Hariharan, a 32-year-old resident of Ukkadam in Coimbatore city. He was employed as a record clerk at the Coimbatore North Taluk Office, where the incident took place. According to DVAC officials, the case began when Vijayakumar from Urumandampalayam lost his original legal heir certificate and possessed only a photocopy.
Vijayakumar applied for a duplicate original legal heir certificate at the Coimbatore North Taluk Office in October 2025. After completing thorough verification processes, revenue department officials prepared the necessary certificate. However, a week ago, Hariharan contacted Vijayakumar by phone and instructed him to visit the office to collect the document.
How the Bribery Scheme Unfolded
Upon Vijayakumar's visit, Hariharan obtained his signature on a register, falsely indicating that the legal heir certificate had been received. Instead of handing over the certificate, Hariharan demanded a bribe of ₹7,000. Frustrated by this demand, Vijayakumar decided to report the matter to DVAC officials, who then devised a plan to trap the clerk.
On Friday, as part of the trap, Vijayakumar provided Hariharan with chemical-coated currency notes totaling ₹7,000. DVAC sleuths, deployed in plain clothes to monitor the transaction, immediately apprehended Hariharan as he accepted the money. He was subsequently arrested and remanded to judicial custody, marking a successful operation against corruption in public service.
Implications and Broader Context
This arrest highlights ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies in Tamil Nadu to combat bribery and misconduct among government officials. The use of chemical-coated notes in such traps is a common technique employed by DVAC to gather irrefutable evidence. Incidents like these underscore the challenges citizens face in accessing essential documents without undue harassment or illegal demands.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting mechanisms in curbing corrupt practices within administrative offices. Authorities have emphasized that such actions will not be tolerated, and strict legal measures will be pursued against those found guilty of exploiting their positions for personal gain.
