DVAC slaps corruption case on Pallikaranai RI and VAO

A case was registered against Revenue Inspector R Nandakumar, Village Administrative Officer S Ramesh, a person named Dhamodaran who was reportedly engaged by the VAO to do the accounting work, and two touts identified as D Sagadevan and K Raja.

The anti-corruption sleuths received information that these officials were demanding bribe from the public for processing documents like patta, income certificate, legal heir certificate, community certificate, money lending certificate, etc. They were seeking money even for issuing old age pension application and destitute widow applications, the tipoff said. After receiving credible information, surprise checks were carried out at the offices of the two government employees, said the FIR filed by the DVAC.

During the check, the officers found that Dhamodaran, the person privately employed by VAO to handle accounts works, was in possession of Rs 1 lakh, while Sagadevan and Raja, the touts active at the office, had on them Rs 18,000 and Rs 6,500 respectively. During the inquiry, the DVAC team found that the VAO had employed Dhamodaran by paying Rs 200 every day for him since February 2019.

The money seized from Dhamodharan was given by a man who came to meet the VAO along with Sagadevan. When that person handed over the cash, the VAO allegedly asked Dhamodaran to receive the money.

When questioned, VAO Ramesh failed to give a convincing reply or a proper explanation regarding the money. It was later learnt that the money was the bribe meant for the VAO for issuing a licence for money lending business.