VACB books two former cooperative bank employees on graft charges

The special cell of the Ernakulam Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has booked two former officials of Velloor Service Co-operative Bank on charge of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income during their service period.

The accused are S.G. Dhananjayan, former secretary of the bank, and Liji Thankappan, a former junior clerk, both residents of Vaikom. The case was registered on a petition by the bank president.

Mr. Dhananjayan had allegedly acquired assets worth ₹68.03 lakh and incurred expenses of ₹1.22 crore, of which ₹89.21 lakh far exceeded his legitimate income. Similarly, Ms. Thankappan was found to have accumulated assets worth ₹44.09 lakh and incurred expenses of ₹12.90 lakh, of which ₹14.37 lakh was deemed excessive in comparison to her income.

The VACB found credence to the allegations in the preliminary inquiry following which raids were conducted at the houses of the accused on the orders of VACB Superintendent of Police A.J. Sojan.

The raids were carried out by Inspectors J.P. Arun Kumar and H.L. Honey. Various documents, assets, and cash allegedly linked to the disproportionate wealth were reportedly seized.