PALAKKAD: Illegal money was seized during the vigilance raid conducted in the morning at Govindapuram check post. Rs 16,450 was found hidden under a mat and behind a chair. The check post officials took this amount as bribe in two and a half hours.

Meantime, the government recorded only Rs 12,900 in the treasury in 25 hours. Apart from the bribe money, fruits including oranges and apples were found in the officers' vehicles and office rooms. There is widespread illegal collection of cash at check posts as part of Onam.

The vigilance conducted a lightning raid at 1.40 am on Tuesday following a tip-off that cargo vehicles coming from other states are allowed to go through the Govindapuram motor vehicle check post without being checked. On the instructions of VACB Deputy Superintendent of Police S Shamsuddin, a team led by inspector S P Sujith disguised as lorry drivers observed those on check post duty for three hours. After finding out where the money was coming from and where it was hidden, the lightning investigation was conducted. When Vinu, who ran a tea shop near the check post, came with tea, the AMVI handed him a bundle of notes to him.

In an inspection conducted later, it was clear that there was Rs 5000 in it. Apart from this, Rs 11,450 were found from the bottom of the unused cushion chair lying near the check post at various places inside the check post counter. AMVI P Suresh and office assistant Santhosh were on duty at this time. A vigilance report will be issued against the officials.

A raid was conducted at the check post of MVD in Walayar a week ago. Rs 13,000 hidden and tied to a magnet were seized from there.