Coimbatore HR&CE assistant commissioner arrested on bribery charges
According to Thanthi TV, a complaint was filed alleging that she demanded a Rs 3 lakh bribe to take action regarding a revenue issue related to a private temple.
Assistant Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in Coimbatore
CHENNAI: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) sleuths arrested an Assistant Commissioner from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department in Coimbatore for demanding and receiving a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from a contractor to bring a private temple under the department's administration.
Acting on a complaint by N Suresh Kumar (52), a civil contractor from Rathinapuri, the officials caught P Indira red-handed when she took the bribe amount on Thursday night.
The complainant, along with two others, submitted a representation to the official on March 18, 2025 seeking to take over the administration of a temple of their community in Pappampatti Village in Sulur under the HR&CE Department. The temple generates an annual income of Rs 40 lakh, but allegedly lacks transparency in fund management.
The High Court also directed the HR&CE to complete the undertaking process within 12 weeks in an order issued on 16 June, 2025. When Suresh Kumar met Indira over the issue, she delayed the process and demanded Rs 3 lakh as a bribe. After much bargaining, she then reduced her bribe amount and struck a deal for Rs 1.5 lakhs.
However, not willing to pay a bribe, Suresh Kumar tipped off the DVAC, who set a trap to nab the official. “As instructed by Indira, the complainant turned up in front of a furniture showroom on Bharathiar Road at Pappanaickenpalayam on Thursday night. She asked him to place the money in a bag brought by her,” the police said.
Their interaction was observed by the trap team from a distance and was also caught on a CCTV camera in the location.
“A phenolphthalein test did not reveal any visible colour changes in her fingers, however turned positive in the bag. The tainted currency of Rs 1.5 lakh was recovered intact from the accused along with her yellow bag,” police said.
The police also searched her office and house, before producing her in court to be remanded in judicial custody and lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison.