“No one is above law”: Ganesh Godiyal on CEC vigilance inquiry
Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal demands legal accountability for CEC Gyanesh Kumar regarding a 2006 vigilance inquiry in Kerala.
Uttarakhand Congress Committee President Ganesh Godiyal has asserted that no individual, regardless of their high-ranking position, should be exempt from legal scrutiny. His comments come in the wake of a vigilance inquiry ordered by the Kerala Home Minister against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar regarding an old case from 2006.
The 2006 Case and Allegations
The investigation centers on alleged irregularities that occurred during Gyanesh Kumar's tenure as the Kerala State Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary in 2006. The matter is linked to a tragic incident involving Lee See Been, a Malaysian civil engineer associated with the PATI-BEL consortium. The consortium was responsible for upgrading the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).
Crucially, the deceased engineer's suicide note reportedly named Gyanesh Kumar, who was serving as the PWD Secretary at the time of the incident. The recent push for a fresh probe stems from allegations that the initial preliminary inquiry conducted in 2006 was derailed due to external pressures.
Godiyal Demands Legal Accountability
Speaking to the media, Ganesh Godiyal emphasized the necessity of following due legal process. He maintained that the gravity of the allegations requires a transparent investigation to ensure justice is served.
"Look, whether it's the 2006 case or the current case. To break the law, you definitely have to go through the legal process. And if no one is above the law, if no one in India, no matter what position they hold, and no citizen of India is exempt, then Gyanesh Kumar shouldn't get that exemption either. I believe that if someone has done something wrong, they must definitely go through the law," Godiyal stated.
Kerala Government Initiates Probe
The Kerala Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to conduct a thorough investigation. This follows a petition submitted by Congress activist Malayinkeezhu Venugopal, which alleges malpractices and corrupt activities involving Kumar during his time as PWD Secretary.
The Home Minister has taken a firm stance on the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the claims regarding external influence. Key developments in the investigation include:
- File Retrieval: The Home Department has requested all relevant files from the original 2006 VACB preliminary inquiry.
- Investigation Mandate: The Vigilance Director has been instructed to probe the allegations of external interference that may have stalled the original case.
- Government Stance: Minister Chennithala stated that the government cannot remain a "mute spectator" to such serious allegations involving a suicide note and potential corruption.