An Enforcement Directorate officer in Tamil Nadu has been arrested for his alleged involvement in an extortion racket, according to a complaint filed by the police. This marks the first time that Tamil Nadu has apprehended an Enforcement Directorate officer. The complaint provides extensive details about the role played by the arrested officer, Ankit Tiwari, in the extortion scheme.
Tiwari would send text messages and WhatsApp messages to state government employees using a fake name, Hardik. The complainant, Dr. Suresh Babu, claims that Tiwari would demand bribes during these communications. Dr. Babu ended up paying Tiwari Rs 40 lakh.
The complaint states that the illegal transactions often occurred during journeys on the highway. Tiwari met Dr. Santosh while he was traveling to Madurai, and the negotiations for the bribe took place during the journey. In November, Tiwari received the first installment of Rs 20 lakh in cash, which Dr. Babu says was recorded by his dash cam. The second installment was paid to Tiwari in the same manner on a highway. The Tamil Nadu Vigilance and Anti-Corruption authorities, who had set a trap, chased Tiwari’s car to recover the alleged bribe money.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption reveals that Tiwari initially demanded Rs 3 crore to avoid legal action in a case that had already been settled. On October 29, he contacted the doctor and claimed to be acting on instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office. He summoned Dr. Babu to the agency’s Madurai office, where he demanded the Rs 3 crore bribe. Later, Tiwari reduced the amount to Rs 51 lakh, stating that he had “spoken to his superiors.”
Ankit Tiwari and his lawyers have yet to make any comments regarding the allegations.
The state police are already in conflict with the Enforcement Directorate over the latter’s summoning of five district collectors. This is related to an investigation into alleged money laundering associated with illegal sand mining.
The police are now investigating whether Tiwari intimidated and received large sums of money from others, as well as whether there was a collusion with other officials in Madurai and Chennai.
