A Highways Department Engineer was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials here on Monday for accepting ₹1-lakh bribe.
Sources said Kanthasamy, a contractor from Peria Kilukichi village in Sivaganga district, had undertaken road works worth ₹2.5 crore in three areas, including Satharasankottai and Sivaganga.
While the contract payments were released in various stages over the past year, he had been approaching the Highways Assistant Divisional Engineer, Syed Ibrahim, to receive the remaining balance of ₹18 lakh.
Syed Ibrahim allegedly harassed the contractor by demanding a bribe of ₹1 lakh to release the funds.
Following this, Mr. Kanthasamy filed a complaint with the Sivaganga DVAC officials.
On Monday, as per the instructions of the DVAC, Kanthasamy met Assistant Divisional Engineer Syed Ibrahim and handed over ₹1 lakh in chemically treated notes.
The DVAC police caught him red-handed as he accepted the money. Further investigation is under way.