Sub-registrar, subordinate who is stuck taking bribes in Coimbatore

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Coimbatore on Wednesday arrested a sub-registrar and a junior assistant for taking bribe.

According to DVAC officials, S. Karuppusamy, a resident of Dhanalakshmi Nagar in Siddhapudur, Coimbatore, approached Nancy Nithya Karoline (44) regarding release of original documents related to a registration. Karoline then instructed Boopathiraja, a junior assistant, to conduct a field verification and collect bribe from Mr. Karuppusamy. Unwilling to pay, Mr Karuppusamy filed a complaint with the DVAC.

Under the supervision of Additional Deputy Superintendent of Police MP Dhivya, a trap was laid on Wednesday. DVAC provided Mr Karuppusamy with cash laced with phenolphthalein, a substance that turns red when it comes into contact with water. Boopathiraja accepted the bribe of ₹35,000 from Mr. Karuppusamy.

DVAC officials, who were monitoring the transaction, immediately arrested both Karoline and Boopathiraja. A phenolphthalein test confirmed their involvement in the bribery. The ₹35,000 was recovered from them.

During a search of Karoline’s car, officials found ₹13 lakh in undisclosed cash, which was subsequently seized.

In a related case on September 19, DVAC had seized ₹1.5 lakh from Keerthi Shankar, who allegedly acted as Karoline’s middleman. Shankar was caught trying to take bribe money from Karoline’s office, and a case was registered. The investigation into both incidents is still ongoing.