MADURAI: An attempt to auction a panchayat vice-president post in the district was foiled here on Sunday and six of the organisers arrested, thanks to the intervention of Superintendent of Police (SP) Asra Garg. At least three potential bidders fled with huge sum of money that they had brought for taking part in the auction.Police sources said that soon after receiving information about the auction of the vice-president post at Thadaiyampatti panchayat in Usilampatti on Sunday, the SP along with other police personnel interrogated the villagers who had gathered at the auction spot -- a village temple ground.An official said the panchayat president post was reserved for Dalits and the vice-president post was being auctioned by the elders for carrying out development works, including the renovation of the Kaliamman and Mariamman temples in the area.Investigations revealed that Durairaj, Pichai and Udhayakumar had filed their nomination papers for the vice-president post and the highest bidder will be allowed to contest for the election, while the other two will withdraw their papers. The successful bidder will be at freedom to choose the panchayat ward members as part of the benefit package of the auction.As it was against democracy and also the model code of conduct, six persons -- outgoing village vice-president Senthil (35), village postmaster Nagaraj (52), Palchamy (65), Balakrishnan (38), Thavasi (36) and Vijayan (54) -- were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.Police have registered a case under Sections 171 C, E, F and H of Indian Penal Code, read with 123 and 133 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, against the arrested persons and those who are absconding.
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