Kochi |VACB conducted a surprise search at the official quarters of a Circle Inspector in Kuruppampady near here and allegedly recovered Rs 40,000, officials said on Sunday.

The search was carried out by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) team on Saturday night following a tip-off that Circle Inspector V Rajesh Kumar, the Station House Officer of Kuruppampady police station, was allegedly accepting bribes to settle cases linked to illegal sand mining.

When the vigilance team reached the quarters, an accused in a sand mining case registered at the Kuruppampady police station was allegedly present there, officials said.

During the search, the VACB recovered Rs 40,000 from the quarters.

According to the agency, Kumar allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money.

The VACB said it would conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.

A report would be submitted to the Ernakulam Rural Police Chief recommending disciplinary action and an internal inquiry against the officer.

The agency said it would also carry out a preliminary probe into Kumar's assets before deciding whether to register a formal case against him.

VACB officials said sand mining mafias are active in the Kuruppampady and Perumbavoor areas and that they had received information suggesting an alleged nexus between some police officers and the illegal mining operators.