Tahsildar, two agents arrested in ₹10-lakh bribe case exposing Kerala official-middlemen nexus
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Ernakulam has arrested a tahsildar and two alleged middlemen in connection with a bribery case involving ₹10 lakh, exposing a nexus between revenue officials and private agents that target property owners.
Kanayannur tahsildar (land records) Jose Antony Hartis, 52, was arrested on Thursday. The two other accused are Rajesh N.S., 49, of Kadavanthra, and Jose Shibyin, 44, of Vyttila, who allegedly acted as agents. According to VACB officials, the trio demanded ₹10 lakh from a native of Kaloor for settling a complaint against his property and facilitating its conversion from 'nilam' (paddy land) in revenue records.
The complainant, who inherited a 1.4-acre property at Elamakkara through succession, had been paying land tax on it since 2018. However, the Elamakkara South Village Office informed him that the land was still recorded as 'nilam' in official records. He had brought soil to the property to level it for constructing a house.
In June, Jose Shibyin lodged a complaint at the village office alleging that the complainant was filling the land with soil. Following this, Tahsildar Hartis allegedly contacted the complainant and threatened him with consequences. Though the complainant expressed willingness to remove the soil and pay any fine imposed, the tahsildar allegedly told him to meet Shibyin, settle the complaint, and then apply for land conversion. He allegedly assured the complainant that the necessary procedures at the village and taluk levels would be taken care of.
Shibyin and Rajesh then allegedly demanded ₹10 lakh, including ₹5 lakh for revenue officials, to settle the complaint. The tahsildar also allegedly spoke to the complainant over the phone and instructed him to pay the amount as demanded. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the VACB, which laid a trap.
During the operation, the two agents were caught while allegedly accepting ₹2 lakh in cash and a cheque for ₹8 lakh. The tahsildar was subsequently arrested. Officials said the accused have been booked and further investigation is underway.
A senior VACB official explained that the alleged network operates by monitoring people who approach government offices for land-related services. Once a person is identified as having a potential violation — such as an incorrect record or an unapproved change to the land — a complaint is filed. The official then intervenes, creating fear and leading the property owner to seek a resolution through the middlemen, who demand money for settling the matter. The official said the VACB is examining whether similar complaints have been filed elsewhere.
The VACB is the anti-corruption agency constituted by the Kerala government to investigate allegations of corruption against public servants. It operates under the Prevention of Corruption Act and has the authority to conduct trap operations when a complainant provides specific information about a bribe demand. Land conversion cases are particularly sensitive in Kerala, where 'nilam' is protected under state regulations. Property owners often face hurdles when records need to be updated, and such situations can be exploited by unscrupulous officials and intermediaries. In this case, the complainant chose to resist the demand and approach the authorities instead of paying the bribe.
The VACB has urged citizens who face similar demands to report them on its anti-corruption helpline. The investigation is continuing, and more details are expected to emerge.
