Kochi Corporation overseer suspended over bribery; Two years of service under probe

Kochi: Kochi Corporation overseer Swapna has been suspended after being caught red-handed by the Vigilance while accepting a bribe for issuing a building permit. She was apprehended in Vyttila while receiving Rs 15,000 in cash inside her car, parked by the roadside. Swapna worked as an overseer in the Corporation’s building section.

She was trapped in an operation codenamed ‘Spot Trap’ carried out by the Ernakulam Central Range Vigilance Unit. Initially, she had demanded Rs 25,000 for granting the building permit, but reduced the amount to Rs 15,000 following repeated appeals by the complainant. The bribe was allegedly calculated at Rs 5,000 per floor for a five-storey building.

Swapna was arrested around 5 pm on Wednesday near the Ponnurunni temple along Vyloppilli Road in Vyttila. The trap was set as she arrived in her private vehicle to collect the cash after work, en route to her home in Kalathode, Thrissur. At the time of the arrest, her three children were also in the car. A total of Rs 41,180 was recovered from the vehicle, and the Vigilance suspects this amount may also include bribe money. A detailed investigation is currently underway.

Swapna is believed to be a habitual offender. Vigilance has received reports that she had accepted bribes on earlier occasions as well. She has been with the Corporation for the past two years, and her dealings during this period will also be investigated.

There had already been protests from the opposition alleging corruption among Corporation officials. In response, the Mayor personally intervened to suspend Swapna, and the decision was taken ahead of the upcoming Corporation Council meeting.

The complainant, a native of Thrippunithura, is a non-resident Indian and owns an engineering consultancy firm. He had applied online for the building permit on January 30 for a new construction project spanning 5,000 square feet, with five separate building numbers.