Revenue officials denies mutation of property as 86-year old refused to pay bribes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Perubhazhuthoor native Appukuttan's story reveals the depth of corruption in the Revenue department. 86-year old man who had visited Village and Taluk office for years became disappointed and fell ill five months ago due to dementia (Alzheimer's disease). He couldn't even recognise his children. He became bedridden when he came to know that the mutation of property has been done in some other name as he refused to pay bribes.

Appukuttan was a nursing assistant in Neyyatinkara Muncipal hospital. His sufffering started in 1960 when he bought the land. After years of legal battle, in 2011 the Munsiff court declared order to hand over 41.388 cents of land to Appukuttan. But his real suffering started when he appllied for mutation of property. The agents approached him several times for bribe. But he refused. His application was rejected and the officials refused to consider it even after receiving legal advice.

The officials have created documents showing that mutation of property has been filed in the name of others. That documents needed to be suspended and only then the issue would be solved. Appukuttan have also filed a plea in Lokayukta. Meanwhile, he became ill. His childrens' decision not to get their due rights by paying bribes. The Lokayukta will hear the case on August 22.