Kerala Jail DIG Vinod Kumar suspended for accepting bribes from prisoners

The Kerala Home Department has placed M K Vinod Kumar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Prisons, who is accused of accepting bribes from jail inmates and their relatives for facilitating parole and to provide additional facilities within the jail.

The suspension came after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director recommended disciplinary action against the accused DIG, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the likelihood of the officer influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.

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The VACB has registered a case against Vinod Kumar on December 17 for alleged bribery. It found that the accused had taken money to arrange parole to convicts and to provide facilities in the prison.

The vigilance case has been registered under Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, which deal with public servants accepting undue advantage.

The investigation had found that he had provided facilities in prison for prisoners including Kodi Suni and Annan Sijith, accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case, in exchange for money, and had granted parole to many others. It is reported that evidence has been found that he took money from eight prisoners. In addition to the illegal acquisition of wealth, Vinod Kumar is also being investigated in a corruption case.

The VACB had reportedly found that a retired officer of Viyoor Jail is the DIG’s agent and that the money is being received through this officer. The DIG has also received money through Google Pay.

The VACB also found that in addition to his salary, Rs 35 lakhs arrived in his bank account in just one month. His wife’s account also got Rs 40 lakhs.