Vigilance Probe Ordered Into 2006 Case Involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed the Vigilance Department to investigate an old case involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, dating back to 2006 when he served as Secretary of the Kerala Public Works Department.

The inquiry will examine allegations of irregularities in the awarding of government contracts, along with claims that external or political pressure influenced the handling of the matter.

The Kerala Home Minister has asked the Vigilance Director to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit findings. Further action is expected to be taken based on the facts established during the probe.

The case is also linked to the death of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Bin, who was associated with the PATI-BEL consortium involved in the upgrading of MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project. Lee See Bin died by suicide in 2006, and reports at the time said that Gyanesh Kumar’s name was mentioned in his suicide note.

A complaint filed by Malayankeezhu Venugopal has sought a fresh investigation into the allegations. The complainant has alleged that irregularities occurred in the contract-awarding process and claimed that external and political influence prevented a proper investigation at the time.

The latest directive has now brought the long-pending allegations back into focus, with the Vigilance Department tasked with examining the records, circumstances surrounding the case and the claims of outside interference.