Assistant Engineer held on graft charge

A team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mc Larine Eskhol, carried out the sting operation, sources said. According to Inspector of Police R. Kavitha Lakshmi, the Assistant Engineer of the panchayat union demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 from S. Vijayaraj, project contractor for expeditiously preparing bills for two works, including water supply project for Annapuranam village at an estimated cost of Rs 4 lakh and water supply works for a crematorium at the village.

Earlier, the assistant engineer demanded three per cent as commission, which figured around Rs21,000, from the contractor. Since the contractor refused to pay such a huge amount, the assistant engineer sought Rs15,000.

Contractor Vijayaraj then lodged a complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing. When the contractor handed over the chemical-coated cash to the assistant engineer, he was caught red-handed by the team. He was then arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.