Vigilance raid on Superintending Engineer's homes on eve of retirement; cash and gold seized

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode Corporation's Superintending Engineer M.S. Dileep faced a surprise vigilance raid at multiple properties linked to him on the eve of his retirement. The raids were conducted in connection with a case regarding the alleged accumulation of disproportionate assets. Simultaneous searches were carried out at Dileep's flat in Chakkorathukulam, Kozhikode, his house in Nenmeni, Wayanad, a nearby homestay property, and his office at the Kozhikode Corporation.

During the preliminary investigation, the Vigilance had found that Dileep had illegally acquired assets worth Rs 56,90,115 between 2013 and 2023. Based on this finding, a formal case was registered, and a detailed probe was launched.

The raids began at 7 a.m. on Friday and were led by Kozhikode Vigilance Special Cell SP K.P. Abdul Rasak. The team recovered Rs 4,63,920 in cash, 27 sovereigns of gold, and 78 documents related to financial transactions from Dileep's flat in Chakkorathukulam. At his residence in Wayanad, they recovered Rs 1,60,000 in cash along with 40 financial records, which included fixed deposit certificates valued at Rs 17 lakh. Additionally, a separate property being used as a tourist homestay was also searched.

Dileep is already under investigation for multiple irregularities, such as granting numbers to illegal constructions and ignoring violations by commercial establishments. He had previously served in Wayanad before being appointed Superintending Engineer of the Kozhikode Corporation in 2022.