Electricity Board Revenue Officer Caught in Bribery Sting Operation
A revenue officer from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has been arrested on charges of corruption after allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a farmer. The incident occurred near Avadi, where the officer was responsible for processing electricity connections for newly constructed properties.
Details of the Corruption Case
The accused, identified as Balasubramani, aged 47, worked as a revenue officer with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. According to police reports, the complainant, Raghavan, a 50-year-old farmer from Kovilpathagai, had constructed a two-storey house with two commercial shops on the ground floor. After applying for electricity connections for both the residential and commercial units, Raghavan was allegedly approached by Balasubramani, who demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 to expedite and process the connections.
Unwilling to comply with the illegal demand, Raghavan took decisive action by approaching the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in Tiruvallur. He formally lodged a complaint detailing the bribery attempt, which prompted DVAC officials to organize a trap operation to catch the officer in the act.
The Sting Operation and Arrest
On Friday afternoon, DVAC officials executed their planned trap. As Balasubramani accepted the marked currency notes totaling Rs 15,000 from the farmer, the anti-corruption team moved in and apprehended him red-handed. The arrest was made swiftly, with evidence collected on the spot to support the corruption charges.
Following his arrest, Balasubramani was produced before the appropriate judicial authority. The court has since remanded him to judicial custody, where he will remain as the investigation into the bribery case continues. This arrest highlights ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to combat graft within public utility departments.
Broader Implications and Context
This case underscores persistent challenges in ensuring transparent service delivery within essential public utilities like electricity distribution. Farmers and other citizens often face such corrupt practices when seeking basic amenities, which can delay development and increase financial burdens.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption's successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between complainants and law enforcement in tackling corruption. Such incidents serve as a reminder of the legal consequences for public officials who abuse their positions for personal gain.
Authorities continue to investigate whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of corruption within the department. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest of its employee.
