Kerala sanctions VACB probe against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over Rs 2 Cr bribe
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has authorised a vigilance investigation into allegations that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar demanded a Rs 2 crore bribe to clear pending contractor bills during his tenure as the state's Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary in 2006.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced on Wednesday that he had granted approval for the investigation under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, following consultations with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
The allegations stem from a complaint by contractor V.O. Sajan, who claimed that Kumar had withheld payments due to Malaysian company Pathibel and sought Rs 2 crore from its engineer, Lee See Bin, in exchange for clearing the bills. The company had undertaken work under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), while Sajan was engaged as a sub-contractor for material supplies.
Lee, who was reportedly under severe mental distress over the delayed payments, later died by suicide. Sajan said Lee had personally informed him about the alleged demand.
Chennithala maintained that Kumar's current constitutional position would not prevent an investigation into alleged misconduct during his earlier service as PWD Secretary. He said judicial precedents made it clear that the protection attached to the office of the Chief Election Commissioner did not extend to actions taken in a previous capacity.
The Home Minister said the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) would now determine the course of action under the law.
Sajan had also questioned the findings of an earlier vigilance inquiry, alleging that it was intended to clear Kumar of the charges.
With IANS inputs