Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a preliminary inquiry into allegations of corruption linked to the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) road project in 2006 and the death of a Malaysian civil engineer associated with the project.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Gyanesh Kumar, who later became the Chief Election Commissioner, was serving as Kerala’s Public Works Department secretary at the time.
The development comes days after the Kerala Home Department sought files relating to a preliminary vigilance inquiry conducted against Kumar in 2006.
The latest inquiry was ordered after Kerala Pradesh Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal filed a complaint on Saturday seeking an investigation into the allegations against Kumar, PTI reported. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has been directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry before any further action is taken against Kumar.
Speaking to reporters, Chennithala said the complaint had been examined and that the allegations appeared to have prima facie substance.
“We have verified the complaint and found prima facie substance in the allegations. A detailed vigilance inquiry is necessary in the matter,” Chennithala said. He added that he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan before directing Vigilance Department Director Manoj Abraham to initiate the necessary legal steps for a detailed investigation.
A vigilance inquiry had reportedly been initiated in 2006 following the death of the Malaysian engineer. The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the case and the contents of an alleged suicide note written in Kuala Lumpur. However, the inquiry did not progress further.
The matter was allegedly suppressed after a change in government in 2006. However, according to PTI, the minister clarified that he had not personally seen the alleged suicide note and had learned about its contents through media reports. The current inquiry is being viewed as a continuation of the investigation that had remained incomplete.
What Is the Case About?
The case concerns the alleged suicide of Lee See Bin, a Malaysian civil engineer associated with Pati-Bel, a joint venture involved in the improvement of the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project.
In 2006, a ₹215-crore World Bank-funded project was undertaken for the reconstruction and improvement of the MC Road between Angamaly and Thiruvananthapuram.
The work was awarded to Pati-Bel, a joint venture between a Malaysian company and Bhagiratha Engineering. Before returning to Malaysia and subsequently dying by suicide, Lee had reportedly raised several complaints concerning the project.
Two alleged suicide notes were reportedly recovered—one addressed to Lee’s wife and another to a company director. The notes were said to contain an explicit reference to Gyanesh Kumar.
The renewed inquiry is expected to examine the allegations, the circumstances surrounding Lee’s death and the earlier vigilance investigation to determine whether further legal action is warranted.
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