• Source:JND
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An Indian-origin officer serving with Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has pleaded guilty to accepting sexual bribes from six Indian nationals in exchange for facilitating their short-term visit pass extensions, according to a report by The Straits Times. Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, 55 years, who was an inspector with the ICA, committed the crimes between 2022 and 2023. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to three counts of corruption against three Indian nationals. Three additional similar charges will be considered during his sentencing, which is scheduled for August 18, 2025.

Sexual Bribes For Visa Extensions

Court papers show that Jayaram took advantage of his position at the ICA's Visit Pass Unit, where he headed a team in charge of processing short-term visa extension cases. In contravention of ICA procedures, officers were allowed discretion in dealing with individual cases. Jayaram utilized this discretionary power to abuse foreign applicants who were vulnerable, such as students, by offering them extensions for sexual favors. One of them, a 26-year-old Indian student identified by a court document as V3, tried to extend his stay in Singapore to pursue studies in hospitality management. Jayaram granted his extension after asking for sex acts in exchange. Similar interactions were reported involving five other men aged between 25 and 30 years.

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Jayaram entered the ICA in 1996 and advanced to become a team leader in 2018. In 2021, he was promoted to the rank of inspector. As part of his duties, he not only supervised a team of 10 officers but also occasionally handled walk-in applicants at ICA’s headquarters. Prosecutors said his position gave him direct access to visa applicants, making it easier for him to misuse his authority. Deputy Public Prosecutors Bryan Wong and Benjamin Low, who are handling the case, said Jayaram’s misconduct severely undermined public trust in Singapore’s immigration system. Jayaram was suspended from duty in April 2023 following his arrest. The ICA confirmed the suspension and said it had a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. The agency did not say if Jayaram remains employed.

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What's Next: Sentencing In August

The incident has raised public interest in internal monitoring mechanisms at ICA. Demands for an overall review of how the department processes visa applications have grown stronger, particularly with regard to the officer's longevity in office and leadership position. Jayaram's sentence hearing is set on August 18. Up to five years' imprisonment and a SGD 100,000 (about Rs 61 lakh) fine for every corruption count under Singapore's Prevention of Corruption Act await him. The case also questions foreign workers and students' exposure to complex immigration procedures and the importance of protection against powers abused by authorities.