Two women officials at the Sattur Panchayat Union office in Virudhunagar district were arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1,500 to release government assistance.
According to the complaint, Thamaraikannan of Anna Nagar, Sattur, had applied for benefits under the Tamil Nadu government scheme that provides Rs 50,000 and 4 grams of gold to inter-caste marriage couples. He submitted his application to Village Welfare Officer Sakunthala (58), who allegedly asked for Rs 1,500 to process the aid.
On Wednesday around 12 noon, Thamaraikannan went to the Panchayat Union office and handed over DVAC-provided currency notes coated with chemical powder to Sakunthala. Investigators said she then passed the money to Social Welfare Extension Officer Poongodi (58), following which DVAC personnel who were waiting nearby arrested both.
DVAC officials later took Poongodi to her residence in Mamsapuram for a search, as part of the ongoing probe. Sakunthala, who resides in Periyar Nagar, Sattur, is also being questioned by the district DVAC team led by Inspector Bhoominathan.
