In a startling turn of events, Ankit Tiwari, a senior official of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), faced arrest in Tamil Nadu over allegations of soliciting and accepting a bribe. The Madurai branch of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) made the arrest along the Dindigul-Madurai highway, marking a significant instance of a state agency apprehending a central government official.
Tiwari, who previously served in key positions in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, was reportedly caught in the act while receiving Rs 20 lakh from an individual in Dindigul. The arrest comes amid the ED's active pursuit of cases involving Tamil Nadu ministers and senior state officials, raising eyebrows over the unfolding developments.
The individual who filed the complaint against Tiwari collaborated with DVAC officials to orchestrate the handover of the bribe money. DVAC operatives intercepted Tiwari's vehicle around 9 am, shortly after the alleged bribe transaction had taken place.
Sources from the ED highlighted that in a pending investigation, Tiwari had purportedly assured to halt legal actions against an individual and, in turn, demanded a substantial sum of Rs 20 lakh as a bribe.
This arrest represents a significant event in southern India, diverging from previous high-profile cases where ED officials were embroiled in bribery scandals in Delhi and Rajasthan. The incident underscores the proactive stance of the DVAC in confronting corruption, even involving officials from central government agencies like the Enforcement Directorate.
