Kasaragod (Kerala) | A casual sweeper attached to the Uppala group village office in Kasaragod district was caught by the VACB while allegedly accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe from a complainant, officials said on Thursday.

The accused was identified as Sivaprasad K (42), a native of Kodibail in Kasaragod district.

According to vigilance and anti-corruption bureau officials, the complainant, who is the vice-president of a temple committee in Mangalpady, had approached the Uppala group village office about a month ago to remit land tax in the name of the temple committee for a parcel of land donated to the temple by a devotee in 2011.

Officials stated that the special village officer informed the complainant that the tax records were still in the name of the previous owner and that certain procedures needed to be completed before the tax could be remitted in the temple committee's name.

Subsequently, the accused allegedly approached the complainant, claiming that he could expedite the process through the special village officer and demanding money in return.

VACB officials said the accused later accompanied the special village officer during a visit to the property on June 11.

During the visit, the accused allegedly accepted Rs 1,500 from the complainant and demanded an additional Rs 5,000 to complete the process.

The accused subsequently made repeated phone calls to the complainant, demanding the remaining amount, officials said.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the VACB Kasaragod unit, following which a trap was laid under the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police.

The accused was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting the remaining Rs 5,000 from the complainant in front of the Uppala group village office at around 10.30 am, officials said.

He was arrested and will be produced before the vigilance court in Thalassery, they added.