Overseer caught red-handed while accepting Rs 15 lakh bribe

Kochi: Vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) on Tuesday night caught an overseer of Vadavucode-Puthencruz grama panchayat red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh. The accused Deepesh Kumar from Haripuram in Kasaragod had sought the bribe from an Ernakulam native to issue a completion certificate for a newly constructed warehouse. The complainant had applied online for the completion certificate on Jan 21. During a site inspection, Kumar demanded a bribe of Rs 20 lakh to issue the certificate. He later contacted Kumar and expressed his inability to pay such a large amount, leading to the bribe being reduced to Rs 15 lakh. On Monday, when the complainant met Kumar in person, he was instructed to deliver the bribe amount of Rs 15 lakh near Kakkanad collectorate at 9pm on Tuesday. The complainant then reported the matter to deputy superintendent of police at VACB Ernakulam. Following his instructions, a vigilance team set a trap and monitored the situation. At 9:15pm, the team caught Kumar red-handed while accepting Rs 5 lakh in cash and a cheque for Rs 10 lakh. The accused will be presented before Muvattupuzha vigilance court.