ICA officer charged with 6 counts of receiving sexual favours from short-term visit pass applicants
SINGAPORE — An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer was on Thursday (Dec 14) charged for allegedly receiving sexual favours as gratifications to help individuals with their short-term visit pass applications.

Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram at the State Courts on Dec 14, 2023.
- Kannan Morice Ragagopal Jayaram was working as an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority inspector when he allegedly received sexual favours from six men
- In return, he purportedly helped these men with their short-term visit pass applications to stay in Singapore
- ICA said that Kannan has been interdicted from service since April 15, 2023
SINGAPORE — An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer was on Thursday (Dec 14) charged with receiving sexual favours as bribes to help people with their short-term visit pass applications.
Kannan Morice Ragagopal Jayaram, 53, appeared in court where he was handed six charges of allegedly committing corruption offences.
The offences purportedly happened some time between 2022 and February 2023 and involved six male individuals.
Court documents did not state what Kannan's duties as an ICA inspector were.
Responding to TODAY's queries on Thursday, ICA said that it takes a serious view of errant officers and that Kannan had not been allowed to carry out his work duties 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.
It added that ICA officers are expected to maintain a high standard of integrity and remain professional at all times.
It also stressed that any ICA officers who break the law will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Defence counsel 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 permitted an adjournment of only four weeks for him to take instructions.
She also reminded Mr Tan that the prosecution was ready for Kannan to plead guilty but he 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.
His counsel will return to court for the next hearing on Jan 11 since the court has dispensed with Kannan's attendance.
If found guilty, Kannan could face up to five years' jail or a fine of up to S$100,000, or both, for each of the six charges.