Deputy Tahsildar caught for taking Rs 1.5 lakh bribe from realtor

Police said D Nishanth, 24, from Salem had recently registered his 1.18 acres at Varagurampatti in Thiruchengode. The sub-registrar office sought verification by the Special Deputy Collector-Stamps in Salem as the property was registered for a low stamp value.

Deputy Tahsildhar M Jeevanandham, 47, who was deputed to check the issue, had demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from Nishanth to show a lower value for the plot in the records. However, Nishanth tipped the DVAC sleuths, who gave chemical laced notes to Nishanth to trap the official.

When Jeevanandham received the bribe amount, the DVAC sleuths, who were waiting in hiding, caught him red handed on Thursday morning. Further inquiries are on.