Kochi: More officials of Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) have come under scrutiny following reports of a cash collection scheme allegedly aimed at avoiding Vigilance inspections. Reports indicate that over Rs 10 lakh was collected monthly to be handed over to the Vigilance team. It has been found that a Motor Vehicle Inspector led the operation. 

A special Vigilance team has launched an investigation into the alleged financial dealings of the suspected officials. Investigators are also probing whether any vigilance officials were involved in the scheme. The revelations surfaced during the interrogation of the former Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer (RTO) and two agents, who were arrested in a bribery case.

Following this, Vigilance teams conducted raids at the residences of MVD officials in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts. The seized documents are currently under examination.

Bribery case: No bail for former RTO Jerson and agent Ram Padiyar; Sajesh granted conditional bail

Meanwhile, the Vigilance Court in Muvattupuzha denied bail to the first accused, former Ernakulam RTO T M Jerson, and the third accused, consultant Ram Padiyar, in a bribery case. The second accused, agent R Sajesh, was granted bail under strict conditions.

The bail applications were reviewed by Vigilance Court Judge N V Raju.

The court stated that granting bail to the first and third accused could affect the case proceedings. It was also noted that 72 bottles of foreign liquor were recovered from the residence of the RTO, strongly suggesting that liquor was received as a bribe. In addition, assets worth Rs 80 lakh were found, pointing towards illegal wealth accumulation.

The court observed that the second accused, Sajesh, had only been involved in handing over the liquor bottles to the third accused. As a result, he was granted bail with conditions, including a Rs 1 lakh surety deposit and a requirement to appear before the investigating officer on Saturdays for signing attendance.