Former Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor Sreekaryam Sreekumar has approached the state Vigilance Department alleging large-scale irregularities and corruption in the leasing of buildings owned by the city corporation.

In his complaint, Sreekumar said media reports pointed to a pattern in which corporation properties were leased out at low rates and later sublet at much higher rents. He alleged that in several cases, the premises remained with lessees even after the death of the original contract holders, without being repossessed by the corporation.

Sreekumar, who served as the Congress councillor for the Medical College division from 2010 to 2015, called for a thorough examination of lease agreements for buildings in Palayam, Poojappura and Thirumala, as well as structures in Greeshmam and Pongumoodu that have since been demolished. He also sought scrutiny of contracts linked to buildings under construction near the Medical College and in the Ulloor area. According to the complaint, the corporation received rents far below statutory rates, causing losses amounting to lakhs of rupees.

Sreekumar further alleged that revenue officials had, in some instances, certified that buildings were unused during the lease period, enabling lessees to evade rent payments. Similar irregularities were suspected in properties owned by the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) and the Housing Board, he said.

The complaint also flagged violations of mandatory norms requiring a fixed percentage of shop rooms to be reserved for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities when properties are leased out under the three institutions. Terming this a serious lapse, Sreekumar said supporting documents had been submitted along with the complaint. Seeking urgent intervention, he urged the Vigilance Department to conduct a comprehensive probe and initiate strict legal action.

The complaint comes amid an ongoing row over a corporation-owned office space occupied by Vattiyoorkkavu MLA V K Prasanth. Newly elected Mayor V V Rajesh said on Monday that the corporation would review the rental agreement and contract related to the premises. The issue arose after BJP councillor R Sreelekha demanded that Prasanth vacate the space for her to perform her councillor duties. Prasanth rejected the demand, maintaining that his lease is valid until March 31, 2026, and that only the corporation secretary has the authority to issue an eviction notice.

The controversy deepened when Congress councillor and former MLA K S Sabarinadhan also called for Prasanth to vacate the premises. Meanwhile, lawyer and social activist Kulathoor Jaisingh has filed a separate complaint with the chief secretary, alleging that MLA and councillor offices in Sasthamangalam were obtained through secret rental agreements in violation of norms.