Vigilance probe against Gyanesh Kumar to be led by SP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The corruption allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the allegations contained in the suicide note of a Malaysian national will be investigated under the leadership of Vigilance Special Investigation SP Emmanuel Paul. The allegations relate to the period when Gyanesh Kumar was serving as Public Works Secretary in Kerala.

The Vigilance had conducted an inquiry against Gyanesh Kumar in 2007 and closed it after finding no evidence to support the allegations. The files have now been retrieved and examined. The ongoing inquiry will look into whether the earlier investigation was closed due to external pressure and whether the allegations still have substance. It will also examine whether any aspects of the allegations were left out of the earlier investigation. If evidence of an offence is found, the government is considering registering a case with its permission. However, Presidential sanction would be required to file a chargesheet against Gyanesh Kumar.

Lee See Been, who was the chief project manager of PATI-BEL Company, which reconstructed the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), had mentioned in his suicide note that some senior officials had pressured him by demanding bribes. The Vigilance is now trying to trace the note. No complaint had been received from Lee See Been’s family or the company at the time. The earlier investigation was closed in the absence of evidence or statements. The reinvestigation is being conducted on the instructions of former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.