ICA inspector allegedly got sexual favours in return for help with visit pass applications

SINGAPORE: An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) inspector was charged on Thursday (Dec 14) with getting sexual favours in return for his help with short-term visit pass applications.

Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, 53, was handed six charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Between 2022 and February 2023, he allegedly obtained "corrupt gratifications" in the form of sex acts with six individuals. Charge sheets seen by TODAY indicated that the six people were male.

"These gratifications were intended as an inducement to help these six individuals with their short-term visit pass applications with the ICA," said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

Anyone convicted of a corruption offence may be jailed for up to five years, fined up to S$100,000 (US$74,400), or both.

An ICA spokesperson told TODAY that the agency takes a serious view of errant officers and that Kannan has been interdicted from service since April 15 this year.

"ICA immediately reported the officer to the relevant authorities for their follow up investigation when we received information on the officer’s alleged corruption," it said.

TODAY reported that defence lawyer Tan Wei Chieh sought a six-week adjournment for him to take instructions from Kannan, who had just appointed him.

However, District Judge Brenda Tan said that the court only permitted an adjournment of four weeks. She also reminded Mr Tan that the prosecution was ready for Kannan to plead guilty, but his counsel said that he had yet to take instructions on his client's position.

Kannan has until March 7 next year to plead guilty at the earliest stage.

He was awarded The Long Service Medal in the 2019 National Day Awards. He was also awarded the COVID-19 Resilience Medal this year.