Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has crossed a grim milestone for 2025, booking its 50th bribery case after arresting a Travancore Devaswom Board official who allegedly demanded money to facilitate pooja bookings at an Alappuzha temple.

The arrested officer, Srinivasan, is the sub-group officer of the Mannar Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple and receiver of the Kuttamperoor Kunnathoor Sree Durga Devi Temple. According to the bureau, a Mannar resident who had arranged temple rituals on November 15 was later asked to pay a ₹5,000 bribe via Google Pay for the service. Acting on the complaint, VCAB laid a trap and caught him red-handed on Wednesday.

With this, the bureau has registered 50 trap cases involving public servants allegedly demanding or accepting bribes so far this year. A total of 68 accused, including government staff and middlemen, have been arrested in these operations.

Of the 50 cases, the Revenue Department accounts for 17, the Local Self-Government Department 10, and the Police Department six. Three cases each were reported from the Education Department and the Kerala State Electricity Board, while 11 others span various departments.

Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham said corruption in government services is being closely monitored and several officials are under persistent surveillance. He urged the public to report bribery demands, assuring swift action against offenders.