THRISSUR: A panchayat secretary who took Rs 10,000 bribe to allot building registration number was sentenced to three years imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Abdul Hakeem, who served as the secretary of Palakkad Kollengode Panchayat in 2007, was convicted by the Thrissur Vigilance Court.

Any delay in paying the fine will make the guilty serve an additional year of imprisonment, ordered Judge G. Anil of the vigilance court.

G. Prakasan, owner of the building was planning to start Sai medical center but needed a building registration number from the panchayath. However, the then secretary Hakeem relucted service but demanded Rs 10,000 for approving the plan. It was under this circumstance that Prakashan approached vigilance.

Abdul Hakeem was caught under the leadership of Thrissur Vigilance DYSP Safiullah Said. Hakeem is a native of Kollengode.