Anti-corruption police in Tirunelveli arrested a woman Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and her assistant for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 to renew a business licence.
According to officials, Mookandi, who runs a finance business in Cheranmahadevi, had applied to renew the required transaction licence with the local VAO, Idhayakani. The VAO allegedly sought Rs 10,000 to process the renewal.
Mookandi lodged a complaint with the Tirunelveli Vigilance and Anti-Corruption wing, following which a trap was arranged at the Cheranmahadevi Revenue Inspector’s office.
During the operation, the complainant handed over the bribe amount to Venkatesan (34), who allegedly acted as a broker for the VAO. Police then arrested Venkatesan and VAO Idhayakani (32).
Searches were conducted at their houses, and both were produced before a court and remanded to the Tirunelveli Central Prison, police said.
