THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance has caught 5,631 merchants for committing irregularities including, hoarding, overpricing of commodities and committing weighing fraud during the lockdown period.

This is according to the statistics available from March 30, when the Vigilance started raids, up to till this date (May 19). Most cases of the irregularities were committed in Thiruvananthapuram district.

1587 merchants were detained for various offences. The minimum cases were in Wayanad (73 cases). Number of cases in other districts are

Ernakulam -426
Kollam - 441
Thrissur – 247
Kozhikode – 385
Pathanamthitta- 350
Kottayam- 447
Idukki – 301
Malappuram – 278
Kasargod- 249
Palakkad – 321
Alappuzha – 364
KANNUR -162

In the raids conducted across the State, extensive hoarding and over-pricing essential commodities were found. The price list was not exhibited in most shops.

Fruits and vegetables were also charged exorbitant prices. The Vigilance informed that the raids will continue in the coming days also.