Kerala orders preliminary vigilance probe into allegations involving Chief Election Commissioner
The Kerala government has ordered a preliminary enquiry into two-decade-old corruption allegations involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was previously the State’s Public Works Department secretary. The probe concerns a road project, alleged demands for bribes and claims of losses to the State exchequer.
The Kerala government has ordered a preliminary enquiry into corruption allegations dating back to 2006 involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was then the State’s Public Works Department secretary. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau will examine allegations that attempts to extract bribes from the PAT-BEL consortium, an Indo-Malaysian construction company hired to upgrade the Main Central Road under the Kerala State Transport Project, caused delays and increased costs. The Home Minister’s office said the allegations also concerned the suspected death by suicide of the project’s chief engineer, Lee See Been, in Kuala Lumpur in November 2006.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered the enquiry after Congress leader Malayankeezhu Venugopal submitted a complaint. The government has also sought the Crime Branch’s findings from its 2006 investigation for legal opinion. Officials said the Vigilance bureau would re-examine an earlier enquiry ordered by the then Chief Minister, V.S.
Achuthanandan. That investigation followed the controversy involving Been and preceded Kumar’s removal as the State’s Public Works Department secretary. Venugopal’s complaint alleges that the earlier investigations did not follow due process and overlooked accusations contained in a purported note by Been.
He also alleged that the investigation was later halted, allowing Kumar to pursue a central deputation. The Home Department also considered findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Officials said the CAG criticised the Public Works Department for releasing substantial interest-free advances without adequate field audits, delays in approving bills and road redesigns, and changes to contract terms linked to claimed cost increases.
According to Home Department officials, the CAG estimated the loss to the State treasury at about ₹92 crore. The enquiry comes amid a Congress-led national campaign seeking Kumar’s removal as Chief Election Commissioner.
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