Kerala reopens old Vigilance probe involving Gyanesh Kumar (Img: Dynamite News)
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar could face fresh scrutiny after the Kerala Home Department ordered the reopening of a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption in a road project dating back to 2006. He was secretary of the Kerala Public Works Department (PWD).
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered reinvestigation into the case, which was initiated after the suicide of Malaysian engineer Lee See Been. Been was the chief project manager of a major road project undertaken by PATI-BEL, an Indo-Malaysian joint venture. Gyanesh Kumar’s name had allegedly appeared in Been’s suicide note.
In his suicide note, the Malaysian engineer had alleged that Kumar, who was then PWD secretary, demanded a bribe to clear payments related to the project. The Kerala State Transport Project (KSTR) was funded by the World Bank.
Chennithala told the media on Sunday that he had received a complaint alleging that the Vigilance investigation conducted in 2006 had been compromised because of external pressure.
“I have directed the Vigilance to probe into the matter thoroughly. Gyanesh Kumar’s name had figured in the suicide note of the Malaysian engineer. Been had clearly mentioned Kumar’s name in his suicide notes addressed to his wife as well as the company director.”
The minister said the original investigation had been conducted in 2006 but was not taken to its conclusion, despite Kumar being transferred out of the PWD.
“Vigilance had examined the matter in 2006. However, the probe did not go ahead, although Kumar was transferred out of the PWD. Now, I have got a complaint from Congress leader Malayankeezhu Gopalakrishan regarding the issue. I had discussed the matter with Chief Minister V D Satheesan and decided to order a comprehensive probe in this regard.’’
Chennithala said Kumar left the state after being transferred from the PWD and subsequently moved to Delhi on central deputation, never returning to the state cadre.
“The Vigilance will conduct a comprehensive probe and will take all legal steps. The probe held in 2006 was abandoned midway. Based on the fresh complaint, it will be resumed. Vigilance is capable of taking the probe ahead after two decades. When I get a complaint as the minister in charge of the Vigilance, I am duty-bound to order a probe,’’ he said.
PATI-BEL had been awarded work to renovate several stretches of major roads in Kerala at a cost of Rs 216 crore. The project faced delays between 2001 and 2006, allegedly because of delays in land acquisition, increasing pressure on the company and project engineer Been.
Been died by suicide in November 2006. A month later, Kumar was transferred out of the PWD by the then CPI(M)-led government.
Kumar was subsequently posted to the Defence Ministry on central deputation during the UPA-1 government.
