Chennai, July 12 (IANS) A week-long anti-corruption crackdown by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) across Tamil Nadu has resulted in the seizure of Rs 22.33 lakh in unaccounted cash and the arrest of seven government officials on charges of accepting bribes for various public services.

The intensive enforcement drive, carried out between July 4 and July 10, covered multiple districts and included surprise inspections at government offices as well as checks at state border checkposts.

The operations formed part of the agency’s efforts to curb corruption and strengthen vigilance across government departments.

According to DVAC Director A. Arun, surprise inspections were conducted at 11 government offices in Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Theni, Kanniyakumari, Dindigul, Thanjavur and Ranipet districts. These inspections led to the recovery of Rs 12.46 lakh in unaccounted cash.

Officials also seized Rs 9.87 lakh during vehicle inspections at state border checkposts, taking the total value of unaccounted cash recovered during the week-long drive to Rs 22.33 lakh.

In addition, the DVAC registered seven successful trap cases in which government officials were allegedly caught while demanding or accepting bribes.

On July 7, Junior Assistant Balamurugan was arrested in Villupuram district while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 to approve a building plan. On the same day, Village Administrative Officer Abdul Rahman was arrested in Tiruppur district for allegedly receiving Rs 5,000 to process a patta transfer application.

On July 9, Police Constable Alaguraja, attached to the Velachery Police Station in Chennai, was caught allegedly accepting Rs 1,000 to return a confiscated two-wheeler licence. On the same day, a Sub-Inspector attached to the Thirupuvanam Police Station in Sivaganga district was arrested for allegedly receiving Rs 3,000 to facilitate a marriage-related matter.

Village Assistant Ganesan, also from Sivaganga district, was arrested on July 9 after he was allegedly caught accepting Rs 3,000 to process a patta name transfer.

On July 10, Taluk office assistant Aaron was arrested in Kallakurichi district while allegedly accepting Rs 2,500 to process a patta name transfer.

In another trap, Land Surveyor Shankar was arrested in Tenkasi district after he allegedly demanded and accepted Rs 10,000 for processing a similar request.

In a separate development, the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases in Villupuram convicted former Tahsildar Adhibagavan and former driver Kandasamy in a bribery case. According to the DVAC, the court sentenced both to three years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 each.

–IANS

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