Tangedco staff arrested for demanding ₹1.3 lakh bribe from suspended colleague
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested an employee of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) on Monday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹50,000 from a suspended colleague to process his reinstatement.
The accused, identified as Balaji, an assistant in the Disciplinary Proceedings Section at Tangedco headquarters on Anna Salai, Chennai, was caught red-handed by DVAC officials after he received the money from the complainant, Balasubramanian, an assistant engineer who was earlier suspended.
According to DVAC officials, the case unfolded when Balasubramanian, who was suspended on September 20, 2023, after being trapped for accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 in a separate case, had his suspension order revoked by the Superintending Engineer, Adyar, on June 12. However, his posting order was to be issued by the Chief Engineer (Personnel) at the headquarters.
Balaji then allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1.3 lakh from Balasubramanian to process the posting order and asked for an advance payment of ₹50,000. Balasubramanian subsequently lodged a complaint with the DVAC, which set up a trap. On Monday, Balaji accepted the ₹50,000 bribe from Balasubramanian and was immediately arrested by DVAC officials.
The DVAC is investigating the case further. The arrest underscores the anti-corruption efforts by the state's vigilance department in ensuring transparency in public service processes.
