Chennai: The special court for cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chennai, has sentenced a woman welfare department officer to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years on graft charges.
She demanded Rs 5,000 and a refrigerator for issuing a certificate to a woman to take custody of her daughter.
According to K. Poornima Devi, special public prosecutor for Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Shanthi was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in a criminal case. Her neighbour Selvi handed over Nancy Mary, daughter of Shanthi to the Government Girls Home, Kellys. After coming out from prison on bail, Shanthi took her daughter without the knowledge of officials in Government Girls Home.
The authorities lodged a complaint against Shanthi on charges of kidnapping the child. Again she was remanded to judicial custody.
On coming out from prison, Shanthi filed an application with the chairperson of home to handover the custody of her daughter. The chairperson informed her that she would release her daughter only on recommendation from Central Chennai Probationary Officer, department of social welfare.
She contacted N. Thilaga, probationary officer, social defence department, Kellys, requesting for the report on May 20, 2011. Thilaga demanded a refrigerator and '5,000 in cash from Shanthi for issuing the report. On a complaint from Shanthi, DVAC registered a case and laid a trap.
On May 24, 2011, Thilaga reiterated her demand and accepted '5,000 as illegal gratification from Shanthi. Thilaga also directed Shanthi to give refrigerator later. Soon after accepting the cash the DVAC team arrested the official and registered case against her under sections 7, 13(2), 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
However, Thilaga denied the charges and stated that the case was foisted against her. On completion of trial, the special judge S. Kanchana said the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge directed her to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years and imposed her with a fine of '1,500.
