Former Manapparai Mariamman Temple executive officer gets two-year jail in bribery case

The Special Court for the proceedings of cases nether the Prevention of Corruption Act, Tiruchi, connected Friday sentenced V. Vinayagavel, 59, erstwhile Executive Officer of the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Manapparai, to 2 years’ imprisonment successful a 2011 bribery case.

According to the prosecution, Manikandan, lad of Arumugam of Vaigaikudi successful Manapparai taluk, who was traditionally engaged successful tonsuring enactment astatine the temple, was allegedly asked to wage a bribe by the past Executive Officer. On June 2, 2011, astir 2 p.m., erstwhile Mr. Manikandan entered the temple bureau to proceed his regular service, Vinayagavel allegedly demanded ₹1,000, aboriginal reducing the magnitude to ₹700, to let him to proceed his work.

Mr. Manikandan lodged a ailment with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption successful Tiruchi. Acting connected the complaint, Inspector Prasanna Venkatesh registered a lawsuit and laid a trap. Vinayagavel was caught accepting ₹700 wrong the temple premises and was subsequently arrested.

Special Judge V. Puviarasu, who heard the case, sentenced Vinayagavel to 2 years’ imprisonment and imposed a good of ₹1,000 nether Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and 2 years’ imprisonment and a good of ₹1,000 nether Section 13(2) work with 13(1)(d). Both sentences volition tally concurrently with an further 3 months’ imprisonment each successful lawsuit of default of payment.