Salem court convicts 7 cops for taking bribe

A Salem court today convicted seven Tamil Nadui policemen including an inspector for taking bribe from a man to release his two-wheeler which had been impounded for allegedly transporting illicit liquor in 2000.
The special anti-graft court, set up to try cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, convicted Inspector Sekar of the state police's Prohibition Wing along with six others police personnel and sentenced them each to two years in jail besides slapping a total fine of Rs 17,000 on them.
According to the prosecution, the police arrested one Mathivanan and seized his moped which he used for transporting illicit liquor.

When Mathivanan sought the release of his moped later, the policemen demanded the bribe.
Following a complaint, the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption laid a trap and arrested several policemen.
Vigilance officials later raided the office and seized lakhs of rupees and registered cases against 22 police personnel including inspector Sekar.

The judge acquitted 12 persons and convicted seven police personnel including Sekar.
The others convicted were Ravi, Saminathan, Arul Murugan, Khader Sheriff, Madhamanikam and Thangaraja.
The judge discharged constables Sundaram, Jayagopal and Mani, who died while the case was pending.