KALPETTA: A central government employee has been caught red-handed while taking a bribe in Wayanad. Central Tax and Central Excise SP Praveendar Singh was caught by the Vigilance while taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. The Vigilance had recently intensified its action against bribe-taking officials.

The Vigilance conducted the operation on the basis of the complaint obtained from PWD contractor Jaison Joy. The officer had demanded a bribe for exempting GST. The agreement was to pay the bribe in two installments. Following this, the complainant informed the officer that he would pay the first installment of Rs 1 lakh today. He then informed the Vigilance that the officer was demanding a bribe. The Vigilance team then handed over Rs 1 lakh to the complainant. The Central GST SP was caught by the Vigilance team while receiving these notes from the complainant.