Rs 14 lakh, US dollar seized from GST joint commissioner’s house in Kochi

KOCHI: A flash raid was conducted by the vigilance at the Kochi office and residences of GST Joint Commissioner Prajani Rajan. The search was following complaints of illegal fund collection and irregularities. The searches were conducted at the GST joint commissioner's office in Thevara and two residences of Prajani Rajan in Pachalam's Erattakulangara.

During the search, the vigilance team seized Rs 14 lakh in unaccounted cash and 788 US dollars. The vigilance said that the US currency was worth approximately Rs 75,000 in Indian money. Prajani Rajan reportedly told officials that the seized money was her monthly income from a lodge she owns.

The search which began at around 7:45 am on Saturday, ended at 9 pm. The raid was led by a team headed by vigilance special cell SP M J Sojan and DySP A L Yesudas. The search was conducted after obtaining a warrant from the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court.

The vigilance had also received information about serious irregularities in GST transactions involving certain bar hotels in Kochi. Reports say that Prajani Rajan had been under continuous surveillance by the vigilance department for some time. In addition to the cash, officials also seized documents.