A 55-year-old Indian-origin immigration officer in Singapore pleaded guilty to accepting sexual favors from Indian nationals in exchange for granting their short-term visit pass extensions, reported The Straits Times.
Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) inspector, committed the crimes between 2022 and 2023 while leading a team tasked with processing visa extension applications. He pleaded guilty on Monday to three charges of corruption through sexual bribes from Indian men. Three other similar charges related to other Indian nationals between the ages of 25 and 30 will be taken into account when he is sentenced, which will be on August 18, 2025.
Court papers showed that although ICA officers should adhere to government guidelines, they also have discretion when extending or refusing visas. Jayaram allegedly used this discretionary ability to ask sexual favours from those applicants who were in weak situations.
One of the victims was a 26-year-old Indian national who had gone to the ICA with a request to allow him to stay in Singapore for more time to continue his studies. As payment for granting the extension, Jayaram asked for and received sexual favors, the prosecution said.
Investigations revealed that Jayaram had also conducted similar acts with at least six Indian citizens. He was charged in 2023 and has been suspended from duty since April of the same year.
His suspension was confirmed by the ICA and that it seriously considers all allegations of misconduct. The agency renewed its commitment to maintaining integrity and trust in Singapore's immigration apparatus.
