The Kerala government has suspended Jail Deputy Inspector General (DIG) M.K. Vinod Kumar following allegations of bribery and possessing assets disproportionate to his income. The suspension comes after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) submitted a report against him, accusing him of accepting bribes from prisoners for parole benefits. Another probe is underway regarding the alleged accumulation of disproportionate assets.
Vinod Kumar, who has about four months left before retirement, was placed under suspension pending investigation. The delay in taking action had faced criticism, with the Opposition accusing the government of protecting the officer. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who returned from Chennai, approved the suspension after reviewing the case.
Allegations suggest that Vinod Kumar accepted bribes to facilitate parole and provide special treatment to prisoners, including high-profile inmates. An ex-officer from Viyyur Central Prison is said to have acted as his agent in collecting bribes. The suspended official is also accused of receiving money from prison staff for transfers and postings, as revealed in a lengthy vigilance inquiry.
The suspension allows for ongoing investigations into the bribery claims and the case of disproportionate assets. This incident sheds light on corruption within the prison system, prompting concerns about oversight and accountability.
