ORDER

Dated this the 29^th day of January, 2026 The 4^th accused in Crime No.VC-01/2024/SIU-1 of the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Poojapura, registered on 09.02.2024, is the petitioner herein.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Public Prosecutor. Perused the records.

3. The prosecution case is that the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation lodged a complaint alleging misappropriation of funds by the accused involved therein and accordingly, Crime No.721/2022 of Museum Police Station was registered alleging commission of the offences punishable under Sections 468 and 471 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code (for short, ‘the IPC ’ hereinafter). Thereafter, the investigation was taken over by the VACB, since Prevention of Corruption Act offences also found involved. Now, the prosecution alleges commission of offences punishable under Sections 409 , 420, 468, 471 and 120B r/w 34 of the as well as under Section 13 (1)(a) r/w 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 . The allegations, as per the FIR, in brief disclose that the 1^st accused, while working as Industries Extension Officer (IEO) under the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram, was r