THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance seized Rs 6,660 and two bottles of foreign liquor hidden among files in the record room of the Chalai sub-registrar's office. The Vigilance Special Investigation Unit headed by DySP Ajayakumar conducted the probe on the basis of confidential information that the employees were taking bribes from the title deed writers and those who come to register.

The test, which began at 4.50pm on Wednesday, lasted until 11pm. Vigilance estimates that only cash received in the afternoon could be found as the inspection was conducted just before the end of office hours. Bribe of at least ten thousand rupees is taken here a day. Therefore, it is being investigated where the bribe till noon has gone.

Some employees had more money than they said they had in their affidavits. The liquor was bought on the way to pay the money in the treasury from the Bevco outlet in Thakarapparambu. Vigilance also found that the liquor was bought for the regular evening celebration of the employees. It was found that the agents had been frequenting the office in violation of the rules and that the service fee details were not displayed in the office and the officers and agents were taking extra money and sharing between them.

DySP Ajayakumar said that the employee in charge of the office had been investigated for money irregularities in the past. Vigilance said it would collect employee service information and take follow-up action.

The vigilance got hold of the Chalai Sub-Registrar's office at a time when the office was full of such activities.

Most of the bribes were in connection with the registration of flats and properties. The writers also bargained for the officials to register title deeds. Some of the locals informed the vigilance when they were told that things would only happen if there is money. The place was under vigilance surveillance for two months.