Tamil Nadu: DVAC Officials Search Enforcement Directorate Office In Madurai After Arrest Of Officer Ankit Tiwari For Accepting Rs 20 Lakh Bribe

Officials of the state's Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) are conducting searches at the office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Madurai, according to a report by News18 Tamil.

The searches are being carried out after the arrest of ED officer Ankit Tiwari today (1 December) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh in order to drop action in a case.

Tiwari's car was intercepted on the Dindigul-Madurai highway shortly after he accepted the bribe, reported Indian Express.

The development is significant as it comes days after the state government challenged the ED's power to investigate illegal sand mining in the state and the summons issued by the agency to District Collectors.

The Madras High Court recently stayed the summons to Collectors but stated that the investigation could continue.

During the hearing, the ED submitted that the total sale value of excess sand mined illegally in the last 1-2 years was Rs 4730 crore.

Listen to our podcast on the illegal sand mining scam in the Swarajya mobile app.

Also Read: G.O. Stipulating Permission From Superiors Before Sharing Official Documents During Inquiry Result Of ED's Sand Mining Probe: Report