Five Tamil Nadu police personnel have faced disciplinary action within a week in separate cases involving allegations of demanding or accepting bribes, with investigations relying on internal vigilance enquiries, digital payment records and, in one case, a phone recording that later circulated widely on social media.

The cases, reported from Tirunelveli and Chennai, involve alleged bribes ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000. The disciplinary measures include suspension and dismissal, depending on the findings in the individual cases.

Rs 1,000 Allegation In Tirunelveli

One of the cases concerns head constable Sorna Raj, attached to Melapalayam Police Station in Tirunelveli City. According to police sources of India Today, he was deployed with other personnel at the Melakarungulam check-post on September 29 when a two-wheeler was stopped for a routine inspection. The rider was reportedly found without valid insurance.

Sorna Raj allegedly demanded Rs 1,000 from the rider and shared his Google Pay number to facilitate the payment.

The rider later contacted the head constable and asked whether the money had been received. Sorna Raj allegedly told him that he had not received it.

The conversation was recorded by the rider and subsequently posted on social media, where it went viral.

After the incident came to the notice of Commissioner Deshmukh Shekhar Sanjay, the head constable was suspended and an inquiry was ordered.

Google Pay Payment In Chennai

Another case emerged from Chennai's North Beach Police Station, where sub-inspector Sivaraj and constable Vivek were suspended following an Internal Vigilance Cell enquiry.

The investigation concerned an alleged Rs 10,000 payment made through Google Pay. The money was allegedly received from the owner of a stolen two-wheeler in connection with the release of the vehicle.

The two personnel faced disciplinary action following the vigilance enquiry into the transaction.

Madhavaram Officer Faces Action

A sub-inspector posted at Madhavaram Police Station was also suspended after a preliminary enquiry by the Internal Vigilance Cell examined a complaint alleging that the officer had demanded a bribe.

According to the findings cited in the case, the allegation was established during the enquiry, leading to the officer's suspension.