The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Tamil Nadu has arrested seven government employees in connection with bribery cases and conducted surprise inspections, leading to the seizure of over ₹22 lakh in unaccounted cash. The arrests and inspections occurred between July 4 and July 10, as part of a continued effort to combat corruption within the state administration.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the DVAC’s weekly report highlighted that the arrested officials were apprehended in separate trap cases for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes to perform their official duties. These actions underscore a persistent issue of graft within various government departments across the state.
The surprise checks, carried out jointly by DVAC and district inspection teams, targeted 11 government offices spread across districts including Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Theni, Kanyakumari, Dindigul, Thanjavur, and Ranipet. During these inspections, officials discovered unaccounted cash amounting to ₹12.46 lakh. The total value of seized cash, including that recovered during the trap cases and the surprise checks, exceeded ₹22 lakh, indicating a significant scale of illicit financial activity.
While the specific departments or roles of the seven arrested individuals were not detailed in the initial reports, the DVAC’s ongoing operations suggest a broad sweep across different tiers of government service. These arrests come in the wake of similar crackdowns in recent months, reflecting a determined push by the vigilance department to curb corruption.
In a separate but related development, The Hindu reported on July 10 that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court was informed by the State that sanction had been granted to prosecute two more government employees involved in a property tax scam within the Madurai Corporation. This case, which reportedly caused a loss of approximately ₹200 crore to the civic body between 2022 and 2024, has seen sanction granted for five of the eight accused government employees. The court is monitoring the investigation, emphasizing the need for accountability and the prosecution of all responsible parties.
The DVAC’s intensified actions align with broader efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery. The agency has been actively conducting raids and investigations based on complaints received regarding bribery demands for routine administrative tasks and services. The amount of unaccounted cash seized during these operations, coupled with the number of arrests, signals a continuous challenge in eradicating corruption.
Earlier in June, The New Indian Express reported that the DVAC had arrested seven public servants and another individual in separate operations conducted across Tamil Nadu between June 5 and June 12. This anti-corruption drive also saw significant seizures, including ₹50 lakh in bribe money during a trap in Tiruppur. These recurring incidents highlight a systemic problem that the vigilance authorities are persistently working to address.
The recovery of substantial amounts of unaccounted cash and the arrest of officials involved in demanding bribes suggest that corruption remains a significant concern within government offices. The DVAC’s continued vigilance and proactive measures are crucial in deterring such practices and ensuring that public servants uphold their duties with integrity. The ongoing legal proceedings and investigations are expected to bring further clarity on the extent of corruption and the measures being taken to combat it effectively.
The Chenab Times News Desk