Kerala Suspends Prisons DIG After Vigilance FIR Alleging Parole Bribes

The government acted on the vigilance chief’s advice that his continued tenure could compromise the investigation.

Overview

A government order on December 23 placed M. K. Vinod Kumar under suspension pending completion of vigilance proceedings.
The VACB FIR alleges roughly Rs 1.80 lakh was received between March 1, 2024 and November 15, 2025 via Google Pay to relatives’ accounts to secure paroles and other favors.
Alleged favors were linked to actions at central prisons in Thiruvananthapuram, Viyyur and Kannur as well as the high-security facility at Viyyur.
A VACB special cell has begun a preliminary inquiry into possible disproportionate assets that could lead to a separate case.
Officials and reports note a retired Viyyur Central Prison officer allegedly acted as an intermediary, while the suspension will continue through the probe and the officer is about four months from retirement.