Anti-corruption police conducted simultaneous raids at 45 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, in a coordinated operation.
The transport department is often cited as a high-risk area for bribery, as large numbers of people visit RTOs daily for services such as driving licences and vehicle fitness certificates. The report said brokers typically collect money by fixing “rates” for different tasks.
According to the report, the searches were carried out in multiple locations including Coimbatore (Gandhipuram Central RTO), Tiruppur South, Tenkasi, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Kallakurichi, Karur, Kumbakonam, Tiruchi, Senji, Salem (Kandampatti), Srivilliputhur, Karaikudi and Vadipatti in Madurai district.
During the raids, several officials and staff were reportedly found in possession of unaccounted cash. Police said inquiries are continuing.
In the Nilgiris district, a search at the transport department sub-office in the Gudalur–Makkamoola area, led by DSP Jayakumar, resulted in the seizure of Rs 80,000 in unaccounted money, the report added.
