VACB seizes ₹14.10 lakh, $788 from GST official’s residence in Kochi

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The raid was conducted as part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case registered by the VACB against the official. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has seized ₹14.10 lakh and $788 in alleged unaccounted cash from the residence of a senior official of the State Goods and Services Tax department in Kochi.

The cash was seized from the residence of GST Joint Commissioner Prajani Rajan at Pachalam on Saturday (September 26, 2026), the VACB said in a statement.

The raid was conducted as part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case registered by the VACB against the official. The agency said a preliminary investigation had found that Ms. Rajan had allegedly amassed assets worth around ₹2.89 crore disproportionate to her known sources of income between 2014 and 2024.

The VACB action followed complaints that Ms. Rajan had allegedly settled certain high-profile tax evasion cases after accepting bribes, the agency said.

The raids were conducted simultaneously at two houses allegedly owned by her at Pachalam and the GST joint commissioner's office at Thevara. The searches were carried out from 7.45 a.m. to 9.15 p.m. on Saturday by teams led by DySP Yesudas A.L., the VACB said.

The recovered cash and documents seized during the operation will be produced before the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court.

Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham has urged the public to report instances of bribery and corruption to the authorities through the toll-free helpline 1064, direct line 8592900900, WhatsApp at 9447789100 or email at [vig.vacb@kerala.gov.in](mailto:vig.vacb@kerala.gov.in).

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