Retired but still accepted bribe; former village assistant and colleague arrested

KOCHI: Vigilance has arrested a former village assistant and a current village field assistant who tried to take a bribe by hiding the fact that the village assistant had retired three days ago.

Village Assistant Thampi, who retired from Chovara Village Office in Aluva taluk on May 30, and Field Assistant Nawas, were arrested by the Ernakulam Vigilance.

A native of Kakkanad had applied for the title deed of 1.24 acres of land in Chovara village limits. On May 24, the two had inspected the site and measured the land. The applicant was asked for a bribe of Rs. 10,000 for further proceedings, but he did not give in. When the applicant called the officials on the phone after the delay in the title deed, they demanded the money again. Village Assistant Thampi demanded the money without disclosing that he had retired from service. The duo were caught while the applicant was handing over the Rs. 10,000 given by the vigilance officials in the Chovara village office premises yesterday evening. They will be produced before the Muvattupuzha vigilance court today.