Vigilance probe against Gyanesh Kumar: File scrutiny begins in KSTP corruption allegation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst nationwide calls for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Kerala government initiated a vigilance enquiry against the Kerala-cadre IAS officer.

The renewed investigation will delve into the alleged corruption in the KSTP contract—dating back to Gyanesh's tenure as Public Works Secretary—and the suicide of the Chief Engineer of the Malaysian company that secured the contract. The State Vigilance Department commenced a preliminary probe into this two-decade-old corruption case, and a special team led by the Vigilance Director will conduct a detailed investigation.

Files from the Public Works Department dating back to 2005 and those related to the preliminary inquiry conducted by the Vigilance wing in 2006 are being examined. At that time, no further action was taken, and Gyanesh Kumar subsequently went on central deputation. Following allegations of corruption regarding the contract, a Vigilance inquiry was conducted against the then Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, who was eventually exonerated by the Vigilance Court. However, no investigation was conducted against the officials regarding the engineer's suicide.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered the investigation based on a complaint filed by KPCC member Malayinkeezhu Venugopal.

The decision to conduct a fresh investigation follows a review of legal advice. The legal opinion states that there is no legal impediment to the probe, as the case predates the individual's appointment to the constitutional office of Chief Election Commissioner.

The KSTP contract for the MC Road development was awarded to the PATI-BEL Consortium, a joint venture between the Malaysian company Patibell and Kochi-based Bhagiratha Engineering. The contract was valued at Rs 215 crore for the 127-kilometre road. Although the project was scheduled for completion in December 2005, the work remained unfinished due to delays in government land acquisition. Consequently, the government withheld payments amounting to Rs 17 crore.

The company alleged that officials, including the then PWD Secretary Gyanesh Kumar, had demanded bribes. Lee See Been, the company's project manager in Kerala, died by suicide in Malaysia. Allegations surfaced, and the names of officials, including Gyanesh, were mentioned in the suicide notes. When the V.S. government assumed office in 2006, Gyanesh Kumar was removed from the post of Public Works Secretary.