VACB seizes ₹14.10 lakh and $788 from GST Joint Commissioner's Kochi residence
VACB seized ₹14.10 lakh and $788 from GST Joint Commissioner Prajani Rajan's Pachalam residence in a disproportionate assets case.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has seized ₹14.10 lakh and $788 in alleged unaccounted cash from the residence of a senior State Goods and Services Tax department official in Kochi.
The cash was recovered from the Pachalam residence of GST Joint Commissioner Prajani Rajan during searches on Saturday, the agency said in a statement.
The operation was part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case registered against the official. A preliminary inquiry found that she had allegedly amassed assets worth about ₹2.89 crore between 2014 and 2024, disproportionate to her known sources of income.
The VACB action followed complaints that she had allegedly settled certain high-profile tax evasion cases after accepting bribes.
Searches were conducted simultaneously at two houses allegedly owned by her at Pachalam and at the GST joint commissioner's office at Thevara. The raids were carried out from 7.45 a.m. to 9.15 p.m. on Saturday by teams led by DySP Yesudas A.L.
The recovered cash and documents seized during the operation will be produced before the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court.
Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham has urged the public to report instances of bribery and corruption through the toll-free helpline 1064, direct line 8592900900, WhatsApp at 9447789100 or email at vig.vacb@kerala.gov.in.