Former Vaikom Police Officer Held in Bribery Scandal

Authorities in Kerala have arrested a former Circle Inspector from Vaikom on allegations of systematic bribery. The accused is suspected of soliciting and collecting bribes totalling ₹2.27 lakh during his tenure in office.

Investigations revealed that the officer concealed the illicit proceeds by routing them through a bank account opened in the name of an Assam resident, apparently without that person's knowledge or consent. The arrangement allowed the accused to distance himself from direct ownership of the funds while accumulating substantial sums.

The arrest follows a formal investigation into the officer's financial activities and banking transactions. Authorities initiated a probe after discrepancies emerged between the official's declared assets and his actual financial holdings, prompting a closer examination of his account movements.

This case adds to ongoing scrutiny of financial misconduct within police departments across India. The use of third-party accounts to conceal bribes has emerged as a common method employed by corrupt officials seeking to evade detection by anti-corruption agencies.

The arrested officer has been booked under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigations are underway to determine whether other officers or civilians were complicit in the scheme.