The Nanjing disciplinary watchdog has denied recent media reports saying a deputy district head was taken away for investigation during his daughter's wedding ceremony, the Global Times learned Tuesday.

The news was first reported by the 21st Century Business Herald. The article reported that Wang Debao, deputy head of Jianye district, was taken away by officials of the Jiangsu Provincial Commission of Discipline Inspection on Saturday, while he was attending his daughter's wedding.

The newspaper quoted guests at the scene, who said that many officials left mid-ceremony after spotting the discipline staff, while many did not notice when Wang was taken away.

Despite some netizens voicing support for the watchdog for taking its job seriously and taking a strong stance against corruption, many criticized its action as "unethical" and "poorly timed."

In response, the Nanjing disciplinary watchdog clarified on its official Weibo account Tuesday that the report was inconsistent with the facts.

"Wang was not taken during his daughter's wedding. The date, time and place were not reported accurately. Wang was not even taken by the provincial disciplinary officials," a spokeswoman of the Nanjing discipline inspection commission told the Global Times Tuesday.

"It is true that Wang was put under investigation, but the authority always considers the whole situation before taking action," she said, adding that further details cannot be disclosed.