{
  "id": 17837343,
  "title": "VACB seizes files on ₹12-cr Kannur district panchayat contracts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/vacb-seizes-files-on-12-cr-kannur-district-panchayat-contracts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T18:32:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vacb-seizes-files-on-12-cr-kannur-district-panchayat-contracts/article71656664.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has seized five files connected to contracts worth over ₹12 crore awarded to Carton India Alliance Private Limited during the time of former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya. This action is part of their investigation into potential irregularities in the contracts' award process. The files were seized from the district panchayat office. The company is suspected of being a benami firm owned by Ms. Divya, and the complaint claims that the contracts were awarded through improper means while she was district panchayat president. The seized documents allegedly pertain to projects such as the construction of modular toilets and an Animal Birth Control centre. The investigation team anticipates reviewing the documents before determining any subsequent actions. Since the contracts were granted to the firm via the public sector undertaking SILK (Steels and Industrial Forgings Limited), the probe may also involve the company. The investigation is being headed by the VACB’s North Range Superintendent of Police. The Kerala Students Union (KSU) State vice-president, P. Muhammed Shammas, had filed a complaint with the Vigilance during the previous government's rule, alleging the involvement of corruption and that Carton India was a benami company of Ms. Divya. However, the company has refuted these claims, stating that the contracts were obtained through e-tendering and that the accusation of being a benami company is unfounded.",
  "summary": "The Vigilance team seized the files from the district panchayat office",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}