Kochi Corporation official caught red-handed while accepting bribe of Rs 15,000

KOCHI: An official of the Kochi Corporation was caught red-handed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in connection with a building permit. The arrested official is Swapna (37), a native of Pollannur, Mannuthy in Thrissur and a building inspector with the municipal corporation. Swapna was already on the Vigilance Department’s list of officials suspected of taking bribes. The arrest was made based on a complaint filed by an Ernakulam native.

The complainant had approached the Corporation seeking permission to construct a five-storey building within the city limits. During this process, Swapna allegedly demanded a bribe in exchange for approving the permit.

Following the demand, the complainant met the SP of the Ernakulam Vigilance Central Unit in person and filed a formal complaint. Acting on Vigilance’s instructions, the complainant arrived at Vyttila to hand over the money to Swapna. Swapna was reportedly waiting in her own car to collect the bribe when the Vigilance team surrounded and arrested her as she accepted the cash. She will be produced before the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court today.