Kerala orders Vigilance probe into 2006 case linked to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) inquiry into allegations linked to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure as the state’s Public Works Department Secretary in 2006.

The case relates to the death by suicide of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who was associated with the PATI-BEL consortium involved in the upgradation of MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).

Lee’s purported suicide note reportedly mentioned Kumar, who was serving as PWD secretary at the time. A preliminary Vigilance inquiry was conducted in 2006 but did not reach a conclusion.

The fresh inquiry follows a complaint by KPCC leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal, who alleged that the original investigation was derailed due to external influence and that allegations of irregularities in the KSTP project were not properly examined.

Chennithala has directed the Vigilance Director to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations of external influence and take appropriate action based on the findings, according to the Home Minister’s Office.

The Home Department has also sought the files related to the earlier preliminary Vigilance inquiry, officials said.

The allegations against Kumar include alleged irregularities in the award of public works contracts during his tenure as PWD secretary. These remain allegations and have not been established by the fresh inquiry.

The case has resurfaced at a time when Kumar is facing criticism from opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have been demanding his resignation as Chief Election Commissioner.

The Vigilance inquiry will examine the allegations and determine whether further action is warranted based on its findings.