CHENNAI: Sleuths of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVAC) conducted a surprise raid at the panchayat union office in St. Thomas Mount near Chitlapakkam here of Friday afternoon and seized more than Rs 10 lakh, as officials failed to produce proper documents of the source of money.
According to sources, an eight-men strong team headed by DSP Kumaragurubarar (DVAC) begun searches at the St.Thomas Mount panjayat union office at around 3 pm.
DVAC sources said they have got a tip that the St. Thomas Mount panchayat union officials were taking bribe from contractors during the festival season.
“To confirm this, we conducted a surprise raid. When we entered, the office was filled with contractors, who were carrying out various civil works.”
On seeing the DVAC sleuths, the contractors and the panchayat union officials made an attempt to flee. However, the DVAC personnel locked the main door of the office and picked up the officials for enquiry.
The officials seized a total of Rs 10 lakh unaccounted money, gifts and fire crackers from Block Development Officer M. Baskaran, engineers and other office staff. Investigations are underway.
