In a first, TN Vigilance Department arrests ED officer for taking bribe, searches Madurai office of agency

Tiwari’s residence was also searched.

According to the DVAC officials in Dindigul, the doctor approached the directorate saying that an ED officer had been demanding a bribe of ₹20 lakh for excluding him from a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Based on the DVAC’s instruction, the doctor handed over the money to Tiwari at a pre-decided place on Friday, 1 December, morning. On receiving the money, Tiwari reportedly promised to drop the case against the doctor.

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The arrest

Later, DVAC officers led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Nagaraj, and Inspector Palanisamy intercepted Tiwari’s car bearing the registration number, MP 04 EA1876, near the Chinnalapatti toll gate on Madurai-Dindigul National Highway and seized the money from his possession.

Tiwari was later taken to the DVAC’s office in Dindigul, where his arrest was recorded. DVAC officials said he was booked under Section 7 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Palanisamy, Inspector of DVAC, Dindigul unit, told South First that based on the complaint from the doctor, the ED officer was trapped.

“DSP Nagarajan, the investigation officer (IO) of the case, arrested the ED officer ‘ red-handed’, and further investigation is on. The ED officer will be produced before the judicial magistrate concerned and remanded,” the officer said.

Tiwari’s car, too, has been confiscated. A BE graduate in Information Technology, he joined the ED in May 2018. Tiwari had previously served in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and was transferred to Madurai four months ago.