Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) inquiry into a nearly two-decade-old case linked to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, dating back to his tenure as the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary in 2006.
The case is connected to the death by suicide of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who was associated with the PATI-BEL consortium involved in upgrading the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).
Case Dates Back to 2006
At the time, Gyanesh Kumar was serving as the PWD Secretary and was overseeing the project. Following Been’s death in 2006, a preliminary Vigilance inquiry was initiated into allegations of corruption and irregularities connected with the project.
According to reports, Been had left behind suicide notes, one of which reportedly mentioned Kumar. The notes were also said to contain allegations related to delays in payments and the clearance of project bills.
Fresh Vigilance Inquiry Ordered
The Kerala Home Department has sought the records of the earlier 2006 Vigilance inquiry. The fresh investigation will examine the allegations and also look into claims that the earlier probe did not progress because of external influence.
Chennithala ordered the inquiry after Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal submitted a complaint seeking a fresh investigation. The Home Minister has directed the Vigilance authorities to examine the matter and take further action based on their findings.
Political Controversy Surrounds the Case
The development comes amid continuing political criticism of Gyanesh Kumar by the Congress and other opposition groups over issues concerning the Election Commission, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
However, the allegations in the 2006 case remain subject to investigation. The outcome of the earlier inquiry and the findings of the fresh investigation will become clearer after the relevant records and evidence are examined.
The latest development has brought renewed attention to a case that had remained largely dormant for nearly two decades.