THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A bribe gang working under the leadership of Tehsildar was caught in the Kottarakkara taluk office.

To facilitate purchase of a quarry with an existing case in court, a bribe of Rs 10 lakh was allegedly demanded as bribe by Tehsildar MK Ajikumar, Deputy Tehsildar (Inspection) V Anilkumar and driver T Manoj. They were suspended pending investigation by Tinku Biswal, the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department. Another temporary driver of the group, Manoj, will be dismissed immediately. Money transactions were ensured through him.

A revenue and vigilance inquiry has also been directed against the officials.

The arrest was made during an investigation conducted by a team led by the Under Secretary of the Revenue Department on the instructions of Minister K Rajan.

The reason for initiating the investigation was the complaint of KJ Radhakrishna Pillai, of Sreenilayam in Kulakkada in Kottarakkara, that officials had demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to for a pass from the revenue department to run a brick company.

The officer approached the tehsildar on the pretense of being the agent of a person interested in buying the quarry in Kummil village. The tehsildar openly said that he has an attitude of helping everyone and takes money. He called the driver Manoj and told him to make sure about the money. Deputy Tehsildar Anil Kumar also informed that if the receipt of tax payment of the quarry is sent by WhatsApp, the details can be given.

Manoj demanded Rs 7.5 lakh for Tehsildar and Rs. 2.5 lakh for other officials including Deputy Tehsildar.