Chennai: Sleuths from the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption on Wednesday arrested T.Kumar (54), commissioner of Vellore Corporation, while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a contractor.
The arrest was the result of a complaint from contractor T. Balaji, who runs a manpower agency.
His firm was outsourced by the Vellore Corporation to carry out cleaning work under dengue eradication programme in April, May and June last year at a cost of Rs 10.9 lakh.
DVAC sources said that Balaji approached commissioner Kumar last week seeking to clear his pending payment when the official allegedly sought '22,000 as 2 per cent commission. Balaji, bargained and after reluctantly agreeing to pay Rs 20,000 lodged a complaint with the Vellore office of DVAC.
After conducting preliminary inquiries, the sleuths found that the official could have asked for a bribe as his background and track record suggested.
After confirming the complaint could be genuine, the sleuths decided to set a trap for the commissioner and accordingly Balaji was sent to meet the officer with notes laced with a chemical. The operation was carried out by a DVAC team led by M. Balasubramanian, ADSP, SIC, Chennai.
Contractor Balaji went to the office of the commissioner on Wednesday and handed over the cash while the sleuths waited outside. As soon the cash was received by the commissioner, the DVAC team entered the chamber and caught him red-handed.
The sleuths conducted a chemical test on the spot and confirmed that Kumar had received the money, which was laced with certain chemical powder and arrested him under section of Prevention of Corruption Act. Later a search was also conducted at the residence of the commissioner. During the searches, the sleuths seized unaccounted money of Rs 1.04 lakh from his office and another Rs 9.4 lakh from his house.
