DVAC arrests HR&CE Joint Commissioner for demanding bribe in Thanjavur
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police arrested Jothilakshmi, Joint Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department in Thanjavur, on Thursday on charges of accepting a bribe from a contractor.
The accused allegedly demanded ₹1 lakh from the complainant, Madhiazhagan of Nagapattinam, who had secured a contract for renovating the Sri Valliammainathar temple at Theepambalpuram near Ammapettai in Thanjavur district. The bribe was sought to release the tender instalment amount.
Aggrieved by the demand, Madhiazhagan approached the Thanjavur DVAC Unit, headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Anbazhagan. After registering his complaint, the DVAC police provided him with chemical-coated currency notes and instructed him to hand them over to the Joint Commissioner.
On July 2, Madhiazhagan handed over the money to Jothilakshmi's aide, Girija, who then passed the amount to Jothilakshmi in her office in Thanjavur. The DVAC police apprehended both women and seized the bribe amount.
Both individuals were later arrested and remanded in judicial custody, according to sources.
