Two officials in Social Welfare Dept. caught red-handed while taking bribe from a beneficiary in Virudhunagar district
Two female officials from the Social Welfare Department were arrested by the DVAC for accepting a bribe from a beneficiary seeking assistance under an inter-caste marriage scheme. The arrest followed a sting operation involving chemically treated currency notes.
Why it matters
This case underscores persistent corruption issues in government welfare distribution despite digital modernization efforts.
Two women officials of the Department of Social Welfare were caught allegedly accepting a bribe from a beneficiary in Sattur in Virudhunagar district on Thursday.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police received a complaint from Thamaraikannan, 27, of Anna Nagar. An electrician by profession, he had married Priyadarshini last month.
Having applied for monetary assistance under the inter-caste marriage scheme, Thamaraikannan submitted an application with the Social Welfare Department a week ago.
However, he was allegedly made to visit the office repeatedly on the pretext of submitting documents and community certificates. Even after he furnished all the required documents, officials allegedly delayed processing his application and demanded money to facilitate the issuance of the pay order.
When he refused, the officials allegedly directed him to meet a superior officer at the Virudhunagar district Collectorate. Thamaraikannan then approached the DVAC police and lodged a complaint.
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