THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to examine fresh bribery allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a road project he oversaw in the state nearly two decades ago, an official source said on Wednesday (November 4).
The latest complaint was filed by Sajan, a contractor from Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, who has alleged that Kumar, while serving as the state Public Works Department (PWD) secretary, demanded a bribe of Rs 2 crore to clear payments for completed work under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).
In his complaint to the VACB director, Sajan claimed that Kumar withheld cheques for bills amounting to around Rs 17 crore, despite their approval by engineers. He alleged that the delay affected the Malaysian company PATI-BEL, its contractors and workers.
The contractor further claimed that the company's project engineer, Malaysian national Lee See Been, had told him that the payments would not be released unless the alleged bribe was paid. Sajan also linked the delay and the alleged demand to Lee's suicide in 2006, claiming that the engineer had named Kumar in a note.
The Vigilance Department has sought the Home Department's permission to register a case following a preliminary inquiry. The fresh complaint will be examined by the team already investigating allegations concerning the KSTP project.
The ongoing examination follows an inquiry ordered on October 4 after a complaint by KPCC leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal concerning the upgradation of the Main Central (MC) Road.
A Vigilance inquiry was initiated in 2006 following Lee's death but was subsequently closed without action. The allegations against Kumar have not been established, and he has not responded to the latest allegations. (With inputs from PTI and media reports)