Sub-registrar offices drenched in Google Pay bribery; vigilance raids at 72 centres; 15 people arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bribes worth lakhs and major irregularities were found in a vigilance sweep in sub-registrar offices under the name of Operation 'Secure Land'. The inspection was conducted in 72 offices. 15 agents were arrested and Rs 1,46,375 was recovered from them. Rs 37,850 hidden in the record rooms of seven offices and Rs 15,190 from four officials were seized. 19 officials were also found to have accepted a bribe of Rs 9,65,905 from deed writers through UPI transactions.

There is a huge embezzlement in the registration fee and stamp duty. Deed writers take bribes and distribute them to officials. Bribes are mainly taken to register the title deed by understating the selling price when registering properties whose fair value has not been determined. Corrupt people also take advantage of the fact that land registration can be done at any sub-registrar office in the revenue district. They misuse this to understate the price of flats and properties and register them where there are corrupt sub-registrars.

Bribery routes:

GooglePay

(List incomplete)

Alappuzha...................2000

Devikalam...................91500

Udumbanchola........15000

Kochi........................18800

Tripunithura....... 30610

Malappuram...................... 1,06,000

Nilambur................... 1,03,030

Feroke......................59,225

Koyilandy.......... 4750

Kuttiady...................... 5600

Kalpetta........................1250

Mananthavady............... 1410

Batheri................... 3,37,300

Badiyadduka............... 1,89,680

Seized from agents

(List incomplete)

Konni................ 11500

Aluva............... 9500

Chalakudi.........4600

Kodungallur.... 6400

Malappuram................21600

Manjeri.................. 1100

Perinthalmanna... 26,000

Ponnani............. 7860

Kuttipuram................ 5950

Farok................ 20,000

Koyilandi....... 15130

Kuttiady.....................5600

Mananthavady...........11135

From officials

(list incomplete)

Kazhakoottam............................. 8500

Kuttipuram............................4500

Found in the register

(list incomplete)

Kazhakoottam...........................2430

Pathanamthitta.........................6500

Nilambur...............................4700

''Deed writers are being used as agents to bribe officials in the sub-registrar offices. This is being viewed seriously. Detailed investigations will continue.''

-Manoj Abraham,

Vigilance Chief

Repor corruption at: 8592900900, 1064