Kannur Municipal Official Terminated After Anti-Corruption Bureau Sting Operation
The Kannur Corporation has dismissed a contract engineer following his arrest for allegedly soliciting kickbacks to process building permits. Authorities caught the official red-handed during a sting operation after a ten-month delay in permit approvals.
Contract Engineer Removed Following Vigilance Arrest
Mayor P. Indira has issued a formal order to dismiss P. Mohammed Aslam from his post as a temporary assistant engineer at the Kannur Corporation. The termination follows an internal inquiry triggered by Aslam's arrest by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) and his subsequent remand by the Thalassery Vigilance Court.
Sting Operation at Edakkad Zonal Office
The VACB intervention occurred on the evening of Monday, July 27, when investigators reportedly caught Aslam accepting the initial portion of a ₹20,000 bribe. Documents indicate the official was stationed at the Corporation’s Edakkad zonal office at the time of the incident.
Key details of the investigation include:
- The Delay: A property owner from Koodali reported that his building permit application remained stalled for over 10 months.
- The Demand: The complainant alleged that Aslam requested a financial payment to finalize the long-pending paperwork.
- The Arrest: Acting on this report, the VACB organized a trap and apprehended Aslam as he received the first installment of the illegal payment.
The municipal administration moved swiftly to sever ties with the contract employee once the Thalassery Vigilance Court confirmed his remand status. The case highlights ongoing efforts to address administrative bottlenecks and illicit service fees within local government offices.
Source: The Hindu — News
