Opposition raises spectre of corruption against Kochi Corporation as Kerala local body poll looms large

With elections to the local self-government bodies in Kerala around the corner, the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has raised the spectre of corruption, alleging that the Kochi Corporation has come under the scanner of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) during the five-year term of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The LDF, however, has dismissed the allegation as baseless.

Following the arrest of two Corporation officials — a superintendent and a Revenue inspector from the Edappally zonal office — last week, the UDF claimed that it was the latest in a series of such incidents. The officials were reportedly caught red-handed while allegedly accepting bribes of ₹5,000 and ₹2,000 from a Kaloor resident who had applied for a change in building ownership.

“Over the past five years, 19 Corporation officials have been arrested, including five in the last three months alone. In fact, the Corporation has become a major target for the VACB during the LDF’s tenure. We will stage a protest,” said M.G. Aristotle, UDF parliamentary party secretary in the Corporation.

In December 2024, the Corporation Council witnessed tumultuous scenes when ruling councillor P.S. Viju claimed that he possessed an audio clip in which a Revenue inspector from the Vytilla zonal office could be heard demanding a bribe of ₹2 lakh for tax relief, allegedly on behalf of the then Development Standing Committee chairperson P.R. Ranish and Town Planning Committee chairperson J. Sanilmon. The official has since been suspended.

Similarly, councillor Benedict Fernandes raised a bribery allegation against a building inspector from the Corporation’s Fort Kochi zonal office. “Though the council passed a resolution to refer both allegations to the VACB, action has been initiated only against the officials. The VACB has referred the allegations against the standing committee chairperson to the director for a decision on the course of action,” said Mr. Aristotle.

Mayor M. Anilkumar stated that the rollout of K-Smart has significantly reduced opportunities for corruption, with officials now only able to delay applications — an act that is still unacceptable.

“If an application complies with the rules, service cannot be denied for not paying a bribe. However, the issue often begins at the building plan stage, where violations are committed and bribes are paid to overlook them. Additionally, when officials repeatedly summon applicants under the pretext of missing documents, many choose to pay bribes to avoid the inconvenience of multiple visits. A change in that mindset is also necessary,” he said.

Sources with a Left-affiliated trade Union, which has a large number of Corporation officials as members, revealed the existence of an unholy nexus between licensed building surveyors and certain Corporation officials.

“Building surveyors, whose role is limited to ensuring compliance with construction norms and submitting completion plans, have effectively become intermediaries for securing plan approvals. They offer bundled services that include a bribery component for various officials. The rising number of cases and arrests indicates heightened vigilance,” said a union official on condition of anonymity.