A former executive officer of a prominent temple in Trichy district has been sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment for accepting a bribe from a barber more than a decade ago. The verdict was delivered on Friday by special judge V Puviyarasu, bringing closure to a case that began in 2011.
The Bribery Incident
In 2011, S Vinayagavel, then 59-year-old executive officer of Arulmigu Mariamman Temple in Manapparai, demanded a bribe of ₹1,000 from local barber A Manikandan. The payment was requested in exchange for permission to work on the temple premises.
When Manikandan expressed inability to pay the full amount, Vinayagavel reduced his demand to ₹700 after negotiation. Unwilling to comply with this illegal demand, the barber took a courageous step by approaching the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in Trichy on June 2, 2011.
The Trap and Arrest
Following Manikandan's complaint, the DVAC team devised a plan to catch the corrupt official red-handed. The very next day, acting on DVAC instructions, Manikandan handed over chemically treated currency notes worth ₹700 to Vinayagavel in his office.
As the temple official accepted the money, DVAC officials immediately apprehended him, providing concrete evidence of the bribery attempt. The entire operation demonstrated the effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms when citizens cooperate with authorities.
Long Legal Battle and Final Verdict
The case faced significant delays in the judicial process, with the chargesheet being submitted only in 2013. Tragically, the key witness, Manikandan, passed away on December 11, 2021, during the trial proceedings.
Despite this setback, the case continued, and special judge V Puviyarasu ultimately convicted Vinayagavel under Section 7 and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court imposed a two-year prison term along with a fine of ₹1,000 for each section, with sentences to run concurrently.
This verdict sends a strong message about the consequences of corruption, even for officials associated with religious institutions. The judgment highlights that justice, though delayed, ultimately prevails in cases of public misconduct.
