Fri Jul 18 07:39:50 UTC 2025: ## Summary of the Text:

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested P. Indira, an Assistant Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) in Coimbatore, India, on July 17, 2025. Indira allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1.5 lakh from a civil contractor, N. Sureshkumar, in exchange for the HR&CE department taking over the administration of temples belonging to the Hindu Boyar community. Sureshkumar had filed a complaint with the DVAC after Indira repeatedly requested the bribe, despite a High Court order directing the HR&CE to expedite the takeover process. The DVAC laid a trap, and Indira was caught accepting the bribe. While a test on her fingers came back negative, the bag she used to collect the money tested positive.

## News Article:

**HR&CE Official Arrested in Coimbatore Bribery Sting**

**COIMBATORE, INDIA – July 18, 2025** – An Assistant Commissioner with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department in Coimbatore, P. Indira, was arrested Thursday night in a sting operation conducted by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). The arrest stems from allegations of bribery related to the administration of temples belonging to the Hindu Boyar community.

According to the DVAC, N. Sureshkumar, a civil contractor representing the community, filed a complaint alleging that Indira demanded ₹1.5 lakh in exchange for the HR&CE taking over the administration of the community’s temples near Sulur. Sureshkumar stated that he and others had previously requested the takeover, citing issues with the temples’ existing management. A subsequent High Court order directed the HR&CE to complete the process within 12 weeks.

The DVAC alleges that Indira repeatedly stalled the process, demanding a bribe that was initially ₹3 lakh but eventually negotiated down to ₹1.5 lakh. Unable to meet the corrupt demands, Sureshkumar contacted the DVAC, who orchestrated a trap.

During the operation, Indira allegedly instructed Sureshkumar to place the marked currency in a yellow bag she provided. While a test of her fingers revealed no traces of the marking substance, the bag itself tested positive. The ₹1.5 lakh was recovered from the bag, and Indira was subsequently arrested. The DVAC has also secured CCTV footage of the alleged transaction. P. Indira now faces charges related to corruption and bribery.

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