Five Tamil Nadu Cops Face Action in Week Over Bribery Allegations

Five police personnel in Tamil Nadu have faced disciplinary action within a week in separate cases involving allegations of demanding or accepting bribes. The action ranges from suspension to dismissal.

The cases, reported from Tirunelveli, Chennai and surrounding areas, involve alleged bribes ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000. Internal Vigilance Cell enquiries were conducted in several cases before action was taken.

Head constable Sorna Raj of Melapalayam Police Station in Tirunelveli City was suspended for allegedly demanding ₹1,000 from a two-wheeler rider during a vehicle check. The rider reportedly had incomplete documents, following which Sorna Raj allegedly shared his Google Pay number to receive the payment.

In Chennai, sub-inspector Sivaraj and constable Vivek of North Beach Police Station were suspended following an Internal Vigilance Cell enquiry into a ₹10,000 Google Pay transaction. The money was allegedly accepted from the owner of a stolen two-wheeler in connection with the vehicle’s release.

A sub-inspector posted at Madhavaram Police Station was also suspended after a preliminary Internal Vigilance Cell enquiry found a complaint alleging a bribe demand to be established.

The strongest disciplinary action was taken against sub-inspector Marishwaran of Puzhal Police Station, who was dismissed from service following a departmental enquiry into allegations of demanding and accepting bribes.

The allegations against Marishwaran date back to 2024, when he was posted at Anna Nagar Police Station. The departmental proceedings found the charges to be true, with authorities citing repeated instances of alleged bribe demands while ordering his dismissal.

The five cases involve allegations arising from routine vehicle checks, the release of a stolen two-wheeler and other instances of alleged demands for money. The disciplinary action varied based on the findings of the respective enquiries.

The latest actions come amid continued scrutiny of corruption allegations within the Tamil Nadu Police. In February, the state police chief directed officers to review prolonged suspensions of personnel facing disciplinary, vigilance or criminal proceedings on a case-by-case basis.