Inspector takes bribe to settle land row, held

Inspector Tamilazhagan was arrested from the Anna Nagar police quarters. He had asked the complainant to hand over the bribe at his house, as he preferred not to receive it at the police station, said sources.

Tamilazhagan had allegedly intervened and settled a land dispute by conducting kangaroo court after one of the parties approached him. According to the police, Subramani of Villivakkam had sought the inspector’s help to get Rs 18 lakh from a person, identified as Prabhakaran, in connection with a land deal.

“The duo, Subramani and Prabhakaran, reportedly had an ongoing tussle over the payment of Rs 18 lakh for a long period,” sources said.

Tamilazhagan summoned both parties and asked Prabhakaran to pay the amount in instalments. After obtaining a written statement from Prabhakaran, the inspector asked him to pay up to ensure that no case was registered against him. It is said that the officer had asked Prabhakaran for Rs 1 lakh for settling the case and not taking any legal action against him for failing to repay the money to Subramani.

“The inspector asked Prabhakaran to pay Rs 20,000 as first instalment, following which the latter preferred a complaint with the DVAC. The demand for bribe had infuriated him and that is why he decided to take it up with the vigilance police,” sources said.

Based on a complaint from Prabhakaran, a DVAC team led by a deputy superintendent of police set a trap for the inspector, who was caught red-handed from thepolice quarters while accepting the bribe of Rs 20,000.