Vigilance chase and catch KSEB engineer for taking bribe, swallows money

KANNUR: The vigilance team caught a KSEB sub-engineer for taking a bribe to replace an electric post. The arrested is Joe M Joseph (37), sub-engineer of KSEB Azhikode section.

The vigilance arrived on the complaint of Abdul Shukoor, a native of Poothapara. He took a bribe of Rs 1000 from the complainant after he approached the engineer requesting to replace the electric line dangerously passing over his car shed.

Shukoor had paid Rs 5550 to change the post, but was not changed. The officer then demanded Rs 1000 more on Saturday. The complainant then informed the vigilance. He was arrested on the day the official, a native of Ernakulam, was transferred to his own district.

The vigilance rounded up the official while returning after taking the bribe. He tried to escape but was chased and caught by the vigilance. The officer is suspected to have swallowed the money while running.

His hand was red in colour as the note was smeared with phenolphthalein. The accused produced before the Kozhikode Vigilance Court judge has been remanded. The sub-engineer was caught by a vigilance team led by DySP Babu Peringoth.