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

The Special Court for the trial of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Tiruchi, on Friday sentenced V. Vinayagavel, 59, former Executive Officer of the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Manapparai, to two years’ imprisonment in a 2011 bribery case.

According to the prosecution, Manikandan, son of Arumugam of Vaigaikudi in Manapparai taluk, who was traditionally engaged in tonsuring work at the temple, was allegedly asked to pay a bribe by the then Executive Officer. On June 2, 2011, around 2 p.m., when Mr. Manikandan entered the temple office to continue his routine service, Vinayagavel allegedly demanded ₹1,000, later reducing the amount to ₹700, to allow him to continue his work.

Mr. Manikandan lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in Tiruchi. Acting on the complaint, Inspector Prasanna Venkatesh registered a case and laid a trap. Vinayagavel was caught accepting ₹700 inside the temple premises and was subsequently arrested.

Special Judge V. Puviarasu, who heard the case, sentenced Vinayagavel to two years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1,000 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and two years’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,000 under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d). Both sentences will run concurrently with an additional three months’ imprisonment each in case of default of payment.