Regarding the case of ED officer Ankit Tiwari, detectives from the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) searched the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sub-zonal office in Madurai all night long on Friday. After accepting a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a doctor in the Dindigul district, Ankit Tiwari, an ED officer, was caught “red-handed” on Friday.
A few hours earlier, CRPF officers had also arrived at the Madurai ED sub-zonal office, where DVAC officers were conducting searches in connection with the ED officer’s case.
According to DAVC officials, Ankit Tiwari, along with his team of ED officers, had been threatening several people and receiving bribes in the name of closing their case in the Enforcement Directorate.
DVAC officials caught him with Rs 20 lakh cash in Dindigul. The DVAC also held a search at the ED Office in Madurai. “An investigation is being probed to elucidate whether he blackmailed or threatened any other officials adopting this modus operandi and collected money in the name of the ED,” the DAVC said.
According to an official release issued by DVAC Chennai, Ankit Tiwari is serving as an enforcement officer in the Madurai Enforcement Department office of the Union Government.
On the morning of November 1, 2023, the sleuths of V&AC caught Ankit Tiwari after he had received Rs 20 lakh as a bribe from the complainant. Subsequently, he was arrested at 10.30 a.m. under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It is pertinent to mention that the sleuths have seized several incriminating documents regarding his misconduct, said the release.
The statement said that an inquiry is underway to determine whether he used this tactic to threaten or blackmail other officials and obtain funds under the Enforcement Directorate’s name. If there are any other ED officials who were involved in the plot, they will also be investigated. Moreover, it stated that Ankit Tiwari’s Madurai office and residence are being searched by V&AC detectives. The statement added that additional searches will be carried out at locations connected to Ankit Tiwari.