Suryaa National Desk: Surya Crime & Political Desk, Thiruvananthapuram: Vigilance targeting a ruling CPI(M) councilor under the Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram city corporation... Surya Crime & Political Desk, Thiruvananthapuram: Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) officials targeted a ruling CPI(M) councilor in Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram city corporation's surprise raids have created a stir in state politics. Vigilance special teams conducted extensive inspections at the residence of Tirumala ward councilor and CPI(M) local committee member Ajin on the allegations that he demanded a huge bribe of Rs.10 lakh from a land owner in connection with a local land dispute and construction permits.
Going into the details of the case, it was alleged that Councilor Ajin had threatened the landowner Sanju on the grounds of government land encroachment and permission issues related to a plot within the city limits. It is reported that the councilor has threatened to bring in DYFI activists and block the constructions by burying party flags at the disputed site if the demanded bribe of Rs.10 lakh is not paid. In this order, the scenes and conversations of the councilor demanding bribe were recorded by the victim through a secret camera (sting operation) and the videos were also released on social media after complaining to the superiors along with evidence.
The vigilance department registered a case after preliminary examination of the video evidence and the written complaint of the victim and started surprise checks at the councilor's residence early on Saturday morning. During the hours-long search, authorities recovered suspicious documents, bank account details and digital credentials related to land transactions. The CPI(M) district leadership said that the law will do its job and the party will take action based on the vigilance report, while the opposition Congress and BJP are furious over the fact that the ruling party's public representative is directly involved in the bribery case and vigilance searches are nearing the municipal corporation elections.