Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala orders Vigilance probe against Gyanesh Kumar over 2006 case
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala orders a VACB probe into CEC Gyanesh Kumar regarding a 2006 suicide case and alleged irregularities.
In a major political development, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to launch an investigation into Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The probe focuses on alleged irregularities dating back to 2006, during his tenure as the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary.
The 2006 Suicide Case and Alleged Irregularities
The core of the investigation stems from a tragic incident in 2006 involving Lee See Been, a Malaysian civil engineer. The engineer, who was part of the PATI-BEL consortium responsible for upgrading the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), reportedly died by suicide.
Crucially, the deceased engineer’s suicide note allegedly named Gyanesh Kumar, who was serving as the state PWD Secretary at the time. While a preliminary inquiry was conducted in 2006, fresh allegations have surfaced suggesting that the original investigation was derailed due to external pressure.
Home Department Demands All Relevant Files
Taking these allegations seriously, the Home Department has demanded all files related to the 2006 VACB preliminary inquiry. The Home Minister has directed the Vigilance Director to conduct a thorough probe into whether external influences played a role in the original investigation and to take necessary action based on the findings.
"The allegation of external influence in the case is serious and warrants a detailed investigation," the Home Minister’s Office stated, echoing the Minister's sentiments.
Political Storm Surrounds the Election Commission
The move comes amidst a growing nationwide campaign by opposition parties against the Chief Election Commissioner. The INDIA bloc has been intensifying its pressure, with plans for demonstrations on October 6 and a massive rally scheduled for November 1 in New Delhi.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram has also entered the fray, urging Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across various states to speak out. Chidambaram questioned the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and urged officials to clarify what instructions they received and how they complied with them.
"Before other High Courts or the Supreme Court start inquiring... I would urge them to speak out: what instructions they received, when they received the instructions, and how they complied with the instructions," Chidambaram told ANI.
Internal Dissent Within the Election Commission?
The controversy is further fueled by reports suggesting internal friction within the Election Commission of India (ECI). It has been reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded objections on at least 14 separate occasions over a 10-month period.
These reported objections reportedly concerned:
- Decisions regarding electoral rolls and voter registration.
- Issues surrounding Form 6 submissions.
- The deletion of voters from rolls.
- Access to central electoral-roll databases and technology systems.
While the ECI has rejected claims of institutional dissent, maintaining that administrative queries and suggestions are standard practice, the opposition continues to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.