On hearing the news of the arrest of Ambur DSP C Dhanarajan and town police sub-inspector Lourdu Jayaraj, locals became elated and burst crackers. Police said Paneerselvam (41) of Sanankuppam, owner of a brick kiln, had 2 lorries and a tractor, which he had been using to transport as he had PWD issued tokens for the same. 

After the quarries were shut, Dhanrajan warned Paneerselvam that action would be taken against him, if he quarried. However, Paneerselvam managed to broker a deal with the DSP through a middleman identified as Raja, as part of which Dhanarajan was to be paid Rs 20, 000 per lorry, including 4 belonging to four others, and a Pongal bonus of Rs 25,000. Apart from these, a payment of Rs 25,000 was fixed for sub-inspector Lourdu Jayaraj to ensure that the deal went through.

Shocked by the DSP’s demands, Paneerselvam approached the Vellore vigilance officials, who laid a trap and apprehended Raja when he along with Lourdu received the money. Both were arrested. Later, officials asked the arrested duo to hand over the money to the DSP. As soon as Dhanarajan accepted, the vigilance officials caught him.