Sat Jan 04 16:22:53 UTC 2025: **Kochi Stadium Rental Sparks Corruption Probe**
KOCHI, Kerala – January 4, 2025 – A corruption investigation has been launched into the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) after documents revealed irregularities in the rental of Jawaharlal International Stadium to Mridanga Vision, organizers of a mass dance event. The investigation follows a horrific fall suffered by MLA Uma Thomas at the event.
RTI activist Cheshire Tarzan uncovered documents showing that the GCDA rented the stadium despite a file noting from the estate superintendent objecting to the rental for a non-sporting event due to prior commitments to the Kerala Blasters FC football team. The superintendent noted that the stadium’s turf needed to be maintained to FIFA standards.
Despite this objection, the GCDA chairman, K. Chandran Pillai, reportedly approved the rental, bypassing standard procedure, for ₹9 lakh rent and ₹5 lakh deposit. The payment was reportedly made the same day. Mr. Tarzan alleges that the chairman approved the rental before obtaining necessary permissions from the Kochi Corporation, Fire and Rescue Services, and police.
The GCDA’s conditions for renting the stadium explicitly require prior approval for temporary structures, yet none was obtained for the makeshift stage from which Ms. Thomas fell. Mr. Tarzan further alleges that the Corporation suffered financial losses due to the Revenue Inspector’s inaction regarding the event’s advertising.
Mr. Tarzan has filed a complaint with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) seeking a probe into the alleged conspiracy and corruption involving Mr. Pillai and other GCDA officials. The VACB is currently investigating the matter.
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