Kerala vigilance team recovers alleged bribe from toilet pipe

The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a public health inspector after allegedly recovering ₹10,000 in bribe money from a toilet pipe, The Hindu reported. Sreeji G.S., a grade-II public health inspector at Tirurangadi municipality, allegedly demanded the money from a complainant seeking a licence for a newly opened restaurant and juice shop. The complainant had applied online but said the application was rejected because it was not in the required format.

The complainant later approached Sreeji through a friend. According to the report, the inspector demanded ₹10,000 to process the licence. The complainant then contacted the Malappuram Vigilance unit, which arranged a trap.

The complainant handed over the money to Sreeji at the room where the inspector was staying in Parappanangadi at about 6.45 p.m. on October 1. After the complainant left, vigilance officers reached the room and knocked on the door.

Investigators said Sreeji realised that officers were approaching and threw the currency into the toilet before flushing it. He initially gave contradictory answers, according to the report. The team searched the room and surrounding area for several hours.

During further questioning, Sreeji allegedly admitted flushing the money. Officers removed the toilet and forced water through the pipe under pressure, recovering notes that had become trapped inside. Sreeji was arrested and produced before the Vigilance Court in Kozhikode.

Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham urged people to report corruption through the bureau’s toll-free number, 1064, by phone at 8592900900 or on WhatsApp at 9447789100.