The Kerala government has ordered an investigation into a bribery allegation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The state Home Department has directed the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register a case and conduct the probe.
The order comes as Congress and other opposition parties continue their protests across the country over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, demanding Kumar’s resignation.
The complaint was recently filed with the vigilance wing by a contractor named Sajan. It alleges that about 20 years ago, while serving as Kerala’s Public Works Department Secretary, Kumar demanded a bribe to release payment for road works under the Kerala State Transport Project.
According to the complaint, the road improvement works undertaken in 2006 by the Malaysian firm Pattibel were completed. Engineers had approved the project, valued at Rs 17 crore, but the then secretary allegedly demanded Rs 2 crore to release the cheque. When the company refused to pay, dues owed to contractors and workers were held up.
The complaint further states that Lee See Pin, a Malaysian project engineer, died by suicide in 2006 amid the pressure. His letter reportedly mentioned the bribe demand. An inquiry conducted in 2006 was dropped for lack of sufficient evidence, but the complainant says he is ready to submit the necessary evidence now.
