Ward 20 incumbent Parthi Kandavel is under OPP investigation for alleged bribe solicitation
The OPP's anti-rackets branch confirmed it is investigating incumbent city councillor Parthi Kandavel over alleged dealings with developers. No charges have been filed. Kandavel says there was no wrongdoing.
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The OPP is investigating Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest incumbent Parthi Kandavel, the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed to The Local. The anti-rackets branch, which handles potential financial crimes including fraud and corruption, is leading the probe. Kandavel said there was no wrongdoing and that his lawyers told him not to discuss it further.
The Toronto Star first reported the investigation. The Star said sources told it the probe focuses on Kandavel's dealings with developers and that Kandavel was accused of soliciting bribes. The OPP said the investigation is ongoing and declined to say more. No charges have been filed.
Kandavel is running for re-election on October 26. He has not withdrawn from the race.
The challenger stays on local issues
Kevin Rupasinghe, an engineer and community advocate, is running against Kandavel. He lost to Kandavel by fewer than five percentage points in the 2023 by-election for the same ward.
Rupasinghe told The Local he has largely kept the investigation out of his campaign. He said he did not see a need to raise it, and that his campaign wants to stay focused on a positive vision. His campaign priorities are housing density, transit improvements, and local amenities.
The Local reported that voters in Scarborough Southwest are also focused on issues other than the investigation. Residents raised housing affordability, transit, and the character of their neighbourhood as their main concerns.
What the investigation means for voters
Being under investigation means police are gathering evidence. A charge and a court decision are separate steps that have not happened here.
The investigation is live as of October 8. Anyone voting in Ward 20 before or on October 26 can take this into account. Advance voting in Toronto runs from October 6 to October 11 at City-run voting locations. See the full candidate list for Ward 20 at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-20-scarborough-southwest.
Questions this story answers
Who is Parthi Kandavel?
Parthi Kandavel is the sitting city councillor for Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest and is running for re-election on October 26, 2026. He is the incumbent in a ward that covers the area south of Lawrence Avenue East between Brimley Road and Kingston Road in Scarborough. You can see his candidate page at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/parthi-kandavel.
What is the OPP investigating?
The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed their anti-rackets branch is investigating Parthi Kandavel. The anti-rackets branch handles potential financial crimes including fraud and corruption. The OPP said the investigation is ongoing but declined to give details. The Toronto Star reported that sources say the probe focuses on Kandavel's dealings with developers and allegations of bribe solicitation. No charges have been filed.
What has Kandavel said about the investigation?
Kandavel said at The Local: 'There has been no wrongdoing.' He also said his lawyers instructed him not to comment further on the matter. He has not withdrawn from the race and continues to campaign for re-election in Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest ahead of the October 26 vote.
What stage is the investigation at?
The OPP confirmed the investigation is ongoing as of the date of this article. No charges have been filed against Kandavel. An ongoing investigation means police are gathering and reviewing evidence. A charge and a court finding are separate steps that have not taken place. Any formal finding would come from a court or regulator.
Who is Kevin Rupasinghe?
Kevin Rupasinghe is an engineer and community advocate running against Kandavel in Ward 20. He lost to Kandavel by fewer than five percentage points in the 2023 Scarborough Southwest by-election. In the 2026 campaign he is focused on housing density, transit improvements, and neighbourhood amenities. His candidate page is at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/kevin-rupasinghe.
Has Rupasinghe made the investigation part of his campaign?
Rupasinghe told The Local he has largely stayed away from the topic. He said he did not see a need to raise it and that his campaign wants to stay focused on a positive vision. The Local reported that voters in the ward are also largely focused on local issues such as housing, transit, and services rather than the investigation itself.
How do I vote in Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest?
Advance voting in Toronto runs from October 6 to October 11, 2026 at City of Toronto voting locations. Election day is October 26, 2026. You can find your voting location and confirm your registration on the City of Toronto's election page at toronto.ca/elections. You must be on the voters list to vote. See the candidates running in your ward at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-20-scarborough-southwest.
How many candidates are running in Ward 20?
According to the City of Toronto's certified candidate list, Ward 20 Scarborough Southwest has multiple candidates running for the single councillor seat on October 26, 2026. Parthi Kandavel and Kevin Rupasinghe are two of those candidates. You can see the full list at /on/toronto-2026/races/councillor/ward-20-scarborough-southwest.
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