Published Feb 25, 2026 | 1:18 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2026 | 1:19 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Kerala VACB arrested Deepesh Kumar, overseer of Puthankurish Grama Panchayat, for allegedly accepting a ₹15 lakh bribe to issue a warehouse completion certificate. Officials said it was the largest bribe ever seized in a trap case. He was caught near Kakkanad Collectorate and will face trial in Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court.
Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Tuesday, 24 February, arrested an overseer of the Puthankurish Grama Panchayat in a trap case for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15 lakh to issue a completion certificate for a newly built warehouse.
Officials confirmed this was the largest bribe ever seized in a trap case in Kerala’s Vigilance history.
The accused, Deepesh Kumar, overseer of Puthankurish Grama Panchayat under Vadavukod in Ernakulam district and a native of Haripuram in Kasaragod, was identified by Vigilance.
The complainant, from Panampally in Ernakulam, had applied online on 21 January 2026 for a completion certificate for a warehouse constructed within the Panchayat limits for his transport company.
During inspection, Kumar allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh for issuing the certificate. When the complainant said he could not afford such a sum, the demand was reduced to ₹15 lakh after further phone conversations, reported The New Indian Express.
On 23 February, when the complainant met Kumar in person, the overseer allegedly instructed him to deliver the bribe near the Kakkanad Collectorate by 9 pm the following day.
Unwilling to comply, the complainant approached the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Ernakulam Unit. Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance team laid a trap and monitored the transaction.
At around 9.15 pm on Tuesday, officials caught Kumar red-handed near the Kakkanad Collectorate while allegedly accepting the bribe. The seized amount comprised ₹5 lakh in cash and ₹10 lakh in cheques.
The accused was taken into custody and will be produced before the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court. Further investigation is ongoing.
