Coimbatore: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested two officials from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) in K Vadamadurai, Coimbatore for accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from a businessman in order to provide a new electricity connection.
The arrested officials were identified as Nandagopal, 56, an executive engineer and Ayyavu, 54, an assistant engineer.
Police said 58-year-old Sivakumar of Ganapathy, who is running a medical equipment manufacturing unit at K Vadamadurai had applied for a new electricity connection from Tangedco in K Vadamadurai.
When he approached Nandagopal and Ayyavu for a new connection, they demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000. But, since he could arrange only Rs. 40,000, the officials, after negotiation, agreed for that amount and asked him to hand it over to them in the office on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, Sivakumar approached the DVAC officials, Coimbatore who decided to set a trap. The currency notes were laced with phenolphthalein powder and given to Sivakumar who later met the Tangedco officials. While he was handing over the amount to them, the DVAC officials and revenue department officials caught the two Tangedco officials red-handed and seized the bribe amount.
The duo was booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and arrested. Further investigation is on.
