COIMBATORE: Sleuths from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) apprehended a Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) official on Friday while he was in the process of accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 90,000 in Coimbatore.
Arrest and Identification
The arrested individual has been identified as M Kathirvel, who served as an assistant executive engineer at the TNPDCL office located in Chinnavedampatti near Saravanampatti.
Details of the Complaint
According to DVAC officials, the complainant, Deepan, was engaged in the installation of solar panels. He approached Kathirvel to secure approval for net meters required for 60 kilowatt panels. However, Kathirvel demanded a bribe of Rs 1,500 per kilowatt, instructing Deepan to pay Rs 90,000 to sanction the net meter for the 60 kW system.
Trap Laid by DVAC
Unwilling to succumb to the bribe demand, Deepan filed a complaint with the DVAC on Thursday. In response, DVAC officers devised a trap to catch the assistant executive engineer who had demanded the bribe. They provided Deepan with chemical-laced currency notes and instructed him to hand them over to Kathirvel.
Caught Red-Handed
On Friday, Deepan arrived at Kathirvel's office and handed over the money. DVAC personnel, who were stationed at the office, apprehended Kathirvel as he accepted the bribe amount. The DVAC has registered a case against Kathirvel under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Additional Information
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About the Author
Tysion Prabhu is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Coimbatore. As a crime reporter, he covers crime trends, defense matters, and railways. He holds a master's degree in journalism from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. In addition to crime reporting, he also writes on sports and has a background as a professional cricket player.
