DCAV seized 11 lakh from Ooty municipal commissioner

Udhagamandalam: Ooty municipal commissioner Jahangir Bhasha was caught red-handed by directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) officials on Saturday night while he was heading towards Chennai with unaccounted cash of 11 lakh in a taxi. Acting on a tip-off, DVAC DSP Jayakumar said, DVAC officials followed Jahangir and caught him near Doddabetta Junction in Ooty."Jahangir was in possession of unaccounted cash to the tune of 11 lakh. We seized the money and brought him back to the municipal office for inquiry," Jayakumar said."After recording the initial inquiry, a FIR was registered on Sunday. The seized money was deposited in the court's account. There is no provision under DVAC for an arrest," he added.Jayakumar said the municipal administration in Chennai was informed of the cash seizure. The case will be transferred to another agency for investigation.Sources in Ooty municipality said Jahangir was on the radar of DVAC for the past month. DVAC was receiving several complaints against Jahangir alleging that he was demanding bribe to carry out services illegally.Five years ago, Jahangir worked in Ooty municipality as PA to the then commissioner. He was transferred from Theni municipality as Ooty municipality commissioner in Aug this year.
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