Former tax official booked – The Hindu

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) booked a former State tax officer on charges of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Balagopal M.G., who was the State tax officer at the office of the Additional Commissioner of State Tax Audit Office in Mattanchery, was booked by the VACB’s special cell in Ernakulam, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday (January 21, 2026).

The VACB said Mr. Balagopal had allegedly acquired assets worth ₹76,03,627 during his tenure in the Goods and Services Tax department, and that it had been found in a preliminary investigation that assets worth ₹23,46,652 were disproportionate to his known sources of income. The probe was initiated based on information received by the VACB.

VACB officials raided his houses at Marine Drive and Edappally on Wednesday and properties and documents related to the alleged offence were seized, Superintendent of Police, VACB special cell, said in the statement.