Top honour for official for poll-time cash haul

TIRUCHY: When Tiruchy RDO S Sangeetha seized Rs 5.11 crore from the top of an omnibus on the morning of April 5 during the peak of the hustings for the Assembly elections, the soft-spoken woman thought that she was only doing her duty as an election official.But when recognition for her courage and duty consciousness came her way on Monday in the form of the State’s Kalpana Chawla Bravery award for women, she was ecstatic. “I feel immensely happy for receiving the award from the honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” Sangeetha said.After her appointment as Returning Officer for Tiruchy West constituency by the Election Commission (EC), Sangeetha received a tip-off over phone on money being carried in an omnibus for distribution to voters on April 5. She rushed to the spot immediately with an EC official, a special Sub Inspector and her CRPF guard as she did not have time to form a special police team.Locating the bus near Ponnagar, she found five bags of cash worth Rs 5.11 crore. After seizing the money she transported it to the EC office.As the news spread, messages congratulating her for her brave act started pouring in from people. The seizure also brought laurels to the EC, which was trying its best to curb cash-for-votes in Tamil Nadu. Now the award comes as an appreciation for her will to fight corruption. Sangeetha, who has become a role model for women, said, “Nowadays, women are ready to fight against corruption at any level in the system.”