The government of Keralam has ordered a preliminary inquiry into corruption allegations dating back 20 years against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. At the time of the alleged incidents, Mr. Kumar was serving as the Public Works Department (PWD) secretary in the state.
The inquiry, to be conducted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), will investigate claims that efforts to extort bribes from a construction company, PAT-BEL consortium, led to delays and cost escalations on a road upgrade project. These issues allegedly resulted in losses to the state exchequer and are linked to the suspected suicide of the project’s Chief Engineer in 2006.
The Home Minister’s office stated that the investigation was ordered following a complaint by a Congress leader. The VACB has also been directed to review findings from a 2006 probe by the Crime Branch and an earlier vigilance inquiry. The move is seen as politically significant, occurring amidst a national campaign by the Congress seeking Mr. Kumar’s removal as CEC.
Officials noted that the inquiry also considered findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which had previously faulted the PWD for releasing funds without proper audits and cited administrative incompetence and delays. The CAG had estimated losses to the state treasury at approximately ₹92 crores.
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Source: thehindu.com
