Kerala Declares War on Corruption: Vigilance Crackdown Sets New Arrest Record
Anti-Corruption Blitz: 36 Arrested in 3 Months, Kerala CM Asserts Stronger Vigilance Drive
BNH NETWORK
CM Pinarayi reiterates: Corruption must end to build an investor-friendly Kerala.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Record-Breaking Vigilance Arrests: 36 people held in three months for corruption.
- Operation Spot Trap: Bribe-takers caught red-handed through public-driven tip-offs.
- Revenue Surge: Surprise raids net state government an additional ₹500 crore.
- Cross-Agency Collaboration: Joint actions against central and state government employees.
- Judicial Speed: Vigilance courts secure 28 convictions out of 30 cases in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Statewide Crackdown: Over 700 government employees flagged for suspected graft.
CM Pinarayi Vows Zero Tolerance
Thiruvanathapuram - Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has declared that the state will maintain an uncompromising stance against corruption. The government is committed to eliminating graft at every level, aiming to build a transparent and investor-friendly administration.
Record Vigilance Arrests in 3 Months
The state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) arrested 36 individuals for bribery between January and March 2025, the highest in Kerala’s history for any three-month period.
Operation Spot Trap in Full Swing
Using the "Operation Spot Trap" initiative, Vigilance successfully caught multiple officials red-handed, thanks to a growing network of public informers. 25 trap cases were registered in three months.
Departments Under the Scanner
Corruption cases were exposed across various departments — including Revenue, Police, Forest, Motor Vehicles, Registration, and even PSU giant Indian Oil Corporation.
₹500 Crore Additional Revenue Unlocked
Surprise checks and anti-graft measures unearthed illegal financial activities, adding an estimated ₹500 crore to state revenue from pending taxes, penalties, and royalties.
Judiciary Acts Swiftly on Vigilance Cases
Vigilance courts have intensified the pace of trials. Between January 2024 and March 2025, 30 cases were resolved in Thiruvananthapuram alone, with convictions secured in 28 cases.
Corruption Network Busted at Checkposts
In Palakkad district, Vigilance cracked a deep-rooted bribery network linked to the MVD checkpost, leading to high-profile arrests, including a senior RTO officer.
Beyond State Borders: Central Agencies Also Targeted
The crackdown extended to central government departments like RPF, Customs, CISF, Central GST, and PSU officers, showcasing the state’s broad anti-corruption coordination.
700+ Suspected Officials Under Watch
Kerala Vigilance has already prepared a watchlist of over 700 officials suspected of bribery, with special monitoring and targeted investigations underway.
Training to Strengthen Investigations
Vigilance officers are receiving advanced training in financial fraud detection, anti-money laundering techniques, and prosecution management to strengthen future cases.
E-Governance & Social Audits to Aid Transparency
Kerala is promoting e-tendering, e-governance, and social audits to eliminate human interference in government processes and minimize corruption loopholes.
