Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) sleuths on Monday arrested the Revenue Divisional Officer of Muvattupuzha while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000.
The official, Mohanan Pillai, was caught red-handed on the basis of a complaint registered by one Mathew Daniel, a native of Vazhakkulam. The complainant had approached the VACB a few days ago, stating that the official had demanded Rs. 50,000 as bribe for giving permit to erect a compound wall in a property at Vengachodu near Muvattupuzha.
According to the officials, the compound wall of the property had collapsed recently. The accused official approached the complainant while reconstructing the wall and raised objections, citing violation of wetland rules. He also threatened the property owner that he would ask the taluk surveyor to measure the land as it lies adjacent to a wetland.
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“The complainant later met the RDO at his office and attempted to convince him. But the official was unrelenting and warned him of dire consequences if he resumed the work. When the complainant sought his help to resolve the issue, Mr.Pillai demanded Rs. 50,000 as bribe”, officials said.
On a direction by VACB officials, the complainant went to the RDO’s office with chemically treated currencies. As soon as he handed over the currency, Vigilance sleuths, who had been waiting outside, entered the room and caught him red handed.
Meanwhile, the accused, in a failed bid to escape, pushed away the Vigilance officials and threw away the currency bundle. However, a chemical test later proved that he had accepted the amount.
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The raid was carried out by a VACB team headed by Deputy Superintendent M.N. Ramesh.
According to Vigilance officials, the VACB had earlier received similar complaints against the RDO. Pillai will be produced before the Thrissur Vigilance Court on Tuesday.