Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Saravana Perumal, serving in Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district, was arrested on Friday by the district Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
According to the complaint, the RDO is responsible for issuing official permissions for activities such as removing “savudu” soil. A petitioner who approached the office for such permission was allegedly asked to pay Rs 50,000.
Unwilling to pay, the petitioner lodged a complaint with the Ramanathapuram ACB. Acting on the bureau’s instructions, the complainant handed over chemically treated currency to the official on Friday morning.
ACB officers, who were monitoring the operation, arrested the RDO after he allegedly received the money. The RDO’s driver, identified as Sundar, was also arrested for allegedly aiding the transaction.
The report noted that the state’s anti-corruption wing has been publicising a dedicated WhatsApp number (94981 80936) for citizens to report bribery demands, even as the arrest of an officer of RDO rank has drawn attention within government circles.
