Official returns bribe after consumers lodged complaints on Facebook

Madurai: An employee of the electricity department in Madurai was forced to return the bribe he had taken from consumers after complaints were lodged on the Facebook page of the district collector.

Officials on Wednesday said 10 consumers posted messages on the social networking site complaining that they were made to shell out bribes for new power connections by the Commercial Inspector of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation here.

Acting swiftly on the Facebook posts, District Collector Anshul Mishra called the Commercial Inspector and inquired about the complaints.

When he "confessed" to have taken the bribe, Mr Mishra directed him to return the money to the consumers, the officials said.

He warned that action would be initiated against him through the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption Department if he did not return the amount.