Tamil Nadu: Housing board official gets 2-year RI in graft case
The official collected Rs 1,500 from a person for issuing sale deed for a plot he purchased from TNHB.
Chennai: The Special Court for the cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, Chennai has sentenced a Tamil Nadu Housing Board official to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years on corruption charges. The official collected Rs 1,500 from a person for issuing sale deed for a plot he purchased from TNHB.
According to prosecution, E. Arumugan was allotted a plot in Tamil Nadu Housing Board Quarters at Gummiddipoondi scheme on October 30, 1992. Arumugan learnt that TNHB would issue sale deed to allottees after paying the entire cost of the plot.
In November 2008, he went to the Tamil Nadu Housing Board office, Anna Nagar Division at Thirumangalam and enquired about P. Selvaraj, who was serving as work assistant. He collected Rs 5,180 from Arumugan stating that the amount was not paid by him to the Board.
When Arumugam met the official on February 4, 2009, at 10.30am he demanded Rs 1,500 bribe for issuing draft sale deed. On the same day at 4:15 pm, he collected Rs 1,500 from Arumugam as illegal gratification.
On complaint from Arumugam, the DVAC personnel laid a trap and arrested him under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. On completion of trial, the special judge S. Kanchana said the prosecution proved the case beyond doubt. The judge sentenced Selvaraj to undergo RI for two years and slapped him with a fine of '2,000.