A 55-year-old Indian-origin immigration officer, Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, was sentenced to 22 months in prison on Thursday for corruptly obtaining sexual favors in exchange for facilitating short-term visit pass applications. The inspector with Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) pleaded guilty to three charges of corruption, with three additional similar charges taken into account during sentencing, according to a Channel News Asia report.

Court documents revealed that Kannan’s illicit activities occurred in 2022 and 2023, targeting young Indian nationals, aged 25 to 30, who had come to Singapore for educational purposes. As an ICA inspector, Kannan held discretionary authority to approve or reject visit pass applications, often consulted by subordinates facing complex cases. Exploiting this power, he coerced vulnerable foreigners into providing sexual acts in return for favorable treatment of their applications, betraying his role as a guardian of Singapore’s borders.

Prosecutors described the case as “appalling,” condemning Kannan for abusing his position as a public servant. “Instead of upholding impartiality and integrity, the accused exploited these young foreigners, undermining Singapore’s reputation as a fair and secure nation,” the prosecution stated. The incidents have sparked outrage, highlighting the need for stricter oversight within public institutions to prevent such abuses of authority.

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Kannan’s jail term is set to commence on September 18, allowing him a brief period to settle personal affairs. The case has prompted discussions about enhancing safeguards for visa applicants and reinforcing ethical standards among immigration officials. Singapore authorities are expected to review ICA protocols to ensure such breaches do not recur, as the nation seeks to maintain its image as a transparent and trustworthy global hub.

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