The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a village officer for allegedly receiving a bribe to process an application for land conversion on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Vijayakumar, the village officer of Pazhayakunnummel village. He was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 from the complainant, who had applied for converting 34 cents that was categorised as wetland in the revenue data bank.
While the file was processed by Thiruvananthapuram Collectorate and Chirayinkeezhu taluk office, it was delayed at the village office. On visiting the office on Friday to enquire about the delay, Vijayakumar allegedly demanded and received a bribe of ₹2,000 to process the application.
When the complainant returned on Saturday to follow up, the village officer allegedly demanded an additional ₹5,000, saying that the report would be sent to the Collectorate only upon receiving the sum.
The complainant reported the matter to the Superintendent of Police, South Zone, Vigilance who authorized a trap to nab the accused. He has been remanded to judicial custody.
