Vigilance and Anti-Corruption officials are probing allegations that the Block Development Officer (BDO) at the Setapatti Panchayat Union office in Madurai district received bribes through GPay, with transfers totalling Rs 20.45 lakh over a two-month period.
According to the complaint, the BDO, identified as Raja, allegedly demanded money from village panchayat secretaries. On Sunday afternoon, a meeting on tax collection was held at the union office under the chairmanship of an Assistant Director from the Town Panchayat audit wing, attended by the BDO and panchayat secretaries.
After the meeting ended and the official left, a vigilance team led by Madurai ADSP Sathyaseelan conducted a search at the office and seized Rs 76,000 in cash that was not accounted for.
Officials said they received information that the bribes were routed through a data operator, Ajith. An examination of Ajith’s GPay account for the period from April 1 to June 31 showed transfers from multiple panchayat secretaries amounting to Rs 20.45 lakh. Two secretaries were also found to have sent Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 on Sunday morning. Inquiries are under way with Raja, Ajith and the panchayat secretaries.
