Corpn staff caught accepting bribe

Madurai, Mar 5 (UNI) The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) Wing Police today arrested two employees, including a woman, of the Madurai City Corporation on bribery charges.

DVAC sources said Junior Assistant S Kubendran and Record Clerk A Nagalakshmi intially sought Rs 3,000 as bribe from P Pitchai Pandian alias Selvaraj for expediting transfer of property and drinking water tax payment in his name.

However, they later settled for Rs 2,500. When Selvaraj approached Assistant Corporation Commissioner (North Zone) Pandian complaining about the employees' conduct, he was reportedly asked to 'adjust' with them.

Selvaraj complained to the DVAC, which then laid a trap. A team led by DSP N Kulothungapandian arrested the duo while they were accepting the bribe.

The arrest took place in the second floor while Corporation Commissioner Thenmozhi Gopinath was presenting the Budget for the local body for 2008-09 in the same floor.

Later, the DSP told mediapersons that the DVAC would recommend departmental inquiry against the Assistant Commissioner for not taking any action against the employees on the complaint by Selvaraj.

UNI GSM GM SKB RK1655