The fraud was detected during a routine audit, which exposed discrepancies in the property tax collections. The bill collectors allegedly tampered with tax records, reducing the amount owed by certain property owners in exchange for bribes. This illicit activity not only deprived the civic body of rightful revenue but also undermined the integrity of the tax collection process.

Madurai Municipal Commissioner expressed serious concerns over the breach of trust and emphasised the corporation?s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability. The suspension of the five officials is part of a broader effort to clean up the system and prevent such incidents in the future.

The civic body has launched a thorough probe to identify the extent of the fraud and recover the lost revenue. Legal action is being considered against the suspended collectors, and strict measures are being implemented to ensure that property tax collection processes are more secure and transparent.

Residents of Madurai have expressed their outrage over the fraud, demanding stricter oversight and accountability from the civic authorities. The incident has also prompted a wider review of the municipal corporation's operations to prevent similar cases of corruption.

The Madurai Municipal Corporation is determined to restore public trust and ensure that such malpractices are not repeated, reinforcing its commitment to good governance.