Vigilance court orders probe against Kochi Mayor over corruption allegation

The Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Muvattupuzha, has found an investigation against Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol ‘highly necessary’ on a complaint alleging corruption.

As per the complaint filed by B.B. Ajayan, secretary, Peringottu Residents Association, Palarivattom, Ms. Minimol accepted money from the residents association when she was a corporation councillor of the area with regard to the restoration of a local road that was damaged while transporting construction materials for a flat.

The company allegedly deposited ₹5 lakh as a security deposit for the repair of the road. When a meeting of the residents association was convened in 2018, Ms. Minimol reportedly assured that she would take care of the restoration of the road, following which ₹3 lakh was allegedly handed over to her. Subsequently, a contractor engaged by the Corporation carried out the maintenance reportedly at the expense of the Corporation.

After the complainant lodged a petition, the court ordered a preliminary enquiry. A vigilance inspector prima facie found no offence and reported that although the accused had received the amount, she had returned it on February 16, 2021. Accordingly, no crime was registered.

The court, however, observed that the accused, being a public servant, was not supposed to collect money from anybody in her personal capacity for the maintenance of a public road. She collected the amount by making use of her official position as a councillor, and hence prima facie it amounted to criminal misconduct, the court order said.

The subsequent repayment of the amount after the filing of the complaint would not wipe off the criminal liability, it added.

“On consideration of the above circumstances, an investigation in this matter is highly necessary. But before ordering the investigation, the complainant has to secure sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” the order said. Ms. Minimol dismissed the proposed vigilance inquiry as a one-sided affair, as the preliminary investigation was carried out without hearing her side. “Although multiple complaints were filed, they were dismissed as the complainants failed to produce evidence. The association members are well aware of the actual facts,” she added.

So far, no notice or order has been received in connection with the vigilance inquiry. Appropriate action would be taken as soon as an official order is issued, the Mayor said.