Kochi: Malayalam actor Jayasurya has been named in a charge sheet by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Kerala in a case of alleged land encroachment in Kochi, The News Minute (TNM) reported.
The charge sheet was filed on a case registered six years ago after a petitioner alleged that the actor built a boat jetty and a fence around in wasteland near Chilavannur Lake in South Kochi's Kadavanthara. It was a vigilance court in Moovattupuzha that directed the VACB to file a case in the matter.
But no charge sheet got filed even after six years made the petitioner, Gireesh Babu, filed another plea, and VACB submitted the same on October 18, Tuesday, after the plea.
However, a VACB official clarified to TNM that the delay was because they had to get sanctions for the prosecution of the taluk surveyor and the village officer, among others which to time. Also, the probe into the matter went on for six years, he claimed.
Those accused in the land grabbing case were three officials of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, who were alleged to have connived to the grab with Jayasurya. The complaint also alleged that the officials violated various sections of the Coastal Protection and Management Act and Kerala Municipal Building Rules while aiding the actor.
In 2013, when the complaint was filed, a building inspector visited the spot and submitted a report. In 2014, the city corporation sent the actor a notice ordering him to demolish his construction within 14 days, giving the Kanayannur taluk surveyor the responsibility of measuring the encroachment. However, the order wasn't carried out, according to reports.
Jayasurya, a popular actor in the Malayalam film industry with a career spanning two decades, has won State Awards twice and gathered special mention in National Awards once.