Vigilance Raids Expose Widespread Corruption in Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department

Quick Summary:

• The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) uncovered significant corruption in Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) during a statewide operation code-named “Clean Wheels” on july 19,2025.
• surprise inspections were conducted across 81 offices, targeting 17 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and 64 Sub-Regional Transport Offices (SRTOs).
• Investigators revealed that MVD officials colluded with agents to illicitly expedite processes like vehicle registrations, fitness certificates issuance, driving tests, and permit approvals.
• Corruption schemes involved rejecting online applications to force applicants towards bribing intermediaries. Bribe payments primarily occurred via UPI transactions-₹7.84 lakh already traced so far.
• Documents processed through agents were prioritized while self-reliant requests remained pending indefinitely.
• During the raids timed for weekend office closures, VACB confiscated ₹1.40 lakh in unaccounted cash statewide and uncovered evidence of financial mismanagement among RTO staff.
• Officials are accused of conducting superficial inspections of vehicles seeking certifications or licenses, compromising road safety standards.
• At least 11 suspected middlemen have been detained as part of ongoing investigations supervised by DGP VACB Manoj Abraham.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The recent revelations about widespread corruption within Kerala’s Motor Vehicle Department highlight systemic issues that prioritize personal gain over public service integrity. This development raises concerning implications for road safety due to perfunctory vehicle fitness checks and compromised licensing protocols. Furthermore, the involvement of intermediaries points to inefficiencies in public administration that undermine citizens’ ability to access services fairly.

The reliance on agents not only institutionalizes bribery but erodes trust in digital governance systems like UPI-based transactions meant for transparency. With ₹7.84 lakh found preliminary-and potentially larger sums anticipated-these findings demand stringent accountability measures across bureaucratic layers.

From a broader outlook, effective follow-through is essential; simple detection without sustained reforms risks recurrence. Streamlining processes while eliminating intermediary influence could restore faith in governance mechanisms vital for equitable service delivery across the state.read more: [Link]