Coimbatore, DVAC sleuths on Tuesday arrested a bill collector of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹40,000 from an applicant seeking approvals related to vacant land tax, officials said.
Arrest, charges and procedure
The accused has been identified as Yamuna Devi, 59, a bill collector attached to the municipal corporation, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) said. According to the DVAC, a man named Prakash of Sundarapuram had submitted an application seeking permission to construct a mini theatre on a parcel of rented land and required a vacant land tax assessment as part of the approval process.
DVAC officials said that Prakash approached Yamuna Devi on August 6 regarding the assessment. The DVAC alleged that she demanded a bribe of ₹45,000 to clear the file. On Friday, when negotiations took place, the bill collector reportedly agreed to accept ₹40,000.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, Prakash approached DVAC personnel on Monday and registered a complaint, the directorate said. Investigators registered a First Information Report (FIR) and organised a trap to catch the accused while taking the money. Following DVAC instructions, Prakash met the bill collector in the Sundarapuram area and handed over chemical-coated currency notes as part of the sting operation.
“When she accepted the money, a waiting DVAC team caught her red-handed.”
Local implications and process going forward
The arrest highlights ongoing vigilance against alleged corrupt practices in municipal functioning and approval processes. Vacant land tax assessments are often a statutory step for land-use change and construction permissions, and any irregularity in such clearances can delay projects and raise costs for applicants.
- Accused: Yamuna Devi, 59, bill collector with Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation.
- Complainant: Prakash of Sundarapuram, applicant for mini-theatre construction permission.
- Alleged demand: Initially ₹45,000; negotiated to ₹40,000.
- Action taken: FIR registered, DVAC trap using chemical-coated notes, arrest following acceptance of money.
DVAC officials said the use of chemical-coated currency notes is a standard procedure in sting operations to ensure proper evidence collection. The directorate did not immediately release further details of the FIR or the precise sections under which the bill collector has been booked. The arrested official is expected to be produced before a magistrate and remanded according to the legal process.
| Event | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Application for mini-theatre permission | Recent | Submitted by Prakash; required vacant land tax assessment |
| Initial demand for bribe | 6 August | Reportedly ₹45,000 |
| Negotiated amount | Following Friday | ₹40,000 |
| Complaint to DVAC | Monday | FIR registered; trap planned |
| Arrest | Tuesday | Detained after accepting chemical-marked notes |
Background and civic context
Coimbatore, as one of Tamil Nadu’s major urban centres, has seen rapid real-estate activity and an increase in construction-related permissions in recent years. Vacant land tax assessment is a routine municipal procedure that feeds into building approvals, land-use clearances and tax records. Allegations of extortion or bribery in such processes can undermine trust in civic administration and affect timelines for commercial and cultural projects, including smaller establishments such as a neighbourhood mini-theatre.
The DVAC has periodically pursued cases involving municipal staff across Tamil Nadu where applicants or permit seekers alleged corrupt demands. Officials said such operations are intended to deter malpractice and reinforce transparent procedures in local bodies.
The municipal corporation has not issued an immediate statement on the arrest. Further action, including internal disciplinary measures by the corporation and the progress of criminal proceedings, will depend on the chargesheet and the judicial process, DVAC officials added.
Investigations by the DVAC are continuing and further details on the case, including specific charges and the possible involvement of others, will be revealed as the probe advances.
