Kakkanad (Ernakulam): A panchayat overseer was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Tuesday night for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh to allot a building number for a commercial godown in Kakkanad.

The accused, T Deepesh Kumar (40), a native of Kanhangad in Kasaragod district and overseer of Vadavucode-Puthencruz panchayat, was caught in a vigilance trap operation near the Ernakulam Collectorate at around 8.30 pm.

A Kochi-based businessman had applied for a building number after completing construction of a 55,000 sq ft godown in Karimugal, built at an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore.

During inspection, the overseer allegedly refused to grant approval, citing deviations from the approved building plan. Deepesh later asked the complainant to meet him in Kakkanad and allegedly demanded Rs 20 lakh to issue the building number. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reportedly settled at Rs 15 lakh.

Deepesh, who resides in Thengod, Kakkanad, allegedly instructed the complainant to meet him near the Collectorate at 7.30 pm on Tuesday. He reportedly demanded Rs 5 lakh in cash and Rs 10 lakh through cheques.

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The businessman alerted the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, which laid a trap. Officials treated the cash and cheques with chemical powder before handing them to the complainant.

Deepesh arrived in a car, asked the complainant to get inside, counted the money and proceeded to allot the building number using a laptop while seated in the vehicle.

A team led by Vigilance DySP T M Varghese then intercepted the car and apprehended the accused. Though Deepesh allegedly attempted to flee, officers surrounded the vehicle and took him into custody.