Six years after the alleged theft of copper wires worth around ₹50 lakh from the Thrissur Corporation Electricity department’s Paravattani store came to light, the Corporation has recommended a vigilance investigation into the case.The decision was taken at a recent council meeting after earlier investigations by the police and the Crime Branch failed to make any headway in the case. Mayor Niji Justin said the Corporation would also initiate departmental proceedings against those found responsible.Deputy Mayor A. Prasad said the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) was determined not to spare either the officials allegedly involved in the theft or those who had protected them.“The present administration has no intention of shielding the culprits or those who covered up the crime,” he said.The case dates back to March 2020, during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration, when the storekeeper of the Corporation’s electricity wing reported that copper wires worth about ₹50 lakh had gone missing from the Paravattani godown. A three-member inquiry committee appointed by the then Corporation found that 11,043 kg of copper wire was unaccounted for, following which a complaint was lodged with the Town East police. Three employees attached to the godown were suspended.However, the investigations by the police and later the Crime Branch reportedly failed to establish a prima facie case or identify those responsible.Leader of the Opposition T.R. Hiran of the LDF welcomed a fresh investigation but accused the ruling front of politicising the issue. He said the LDF had consistently demanded that the corruption be exposed and maintained that it had nothing to hide.“Even if the Corporation, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) support, wants the case investigated by the CBI, we have no objection. If it is proved that even a single member of the previous LDF administration was involved, that person should be sent to jail,” he said.With no progress in the earlier investigations, the UDF-led Corporation has now opted for a Vigilance probe in an attempt to unravel one of the biggest alleged thefts involving civic assets in the Corporation’s recent history. Published - July 15, 2026 08:07 pm IST