Keralam government has on 4th October 2026 – ordered a Vigilance probe against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in a 2006 case of a suicide by a Malasian engineer accusing him for allegedly asking Rs.12-13 crores bribe when he was a PWD secretary in the Keralam government .
Keralam Home Minister in the Congress-led UDF government Ramesh Chennithala directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director Manoj Abraham to conduct a detailed probe.
The case is related to the year 2006 when Gyanesh Kumar was PWD Secretary, Keralam. He is a Keralam-cadre IAS officer.
The case is linked to the World Bank funded Rs 215 crore KSTP project – reconstruction of MC Road from Angamaly to Thiruvananthapuram. The projects contract was given to PATI-BEL consortium, Indo-Malaysian JV of Malaysian firm and Bhageeratha Engineering.
The consortium’s Chief Project Manager, Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been (58 years), died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur in November 2006 after returning from Keralam. He left two suicide notes – one to his wife and one to company director – in which he explicitly named Gyanesh Kumar.
– Allegation in complaint by KPCC leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal (filed Saturday): Gyanesh Kumar allegedly subjected him to severe stress/harassment, withheld bills worth Rs 12-13 crore and demanded illegal gratification, causing delay, cost escalation and loss to exchequer.
Venugopal alleged that the original 2006 VACB preliminary enquiry ordered by then CM V S Achuthanandan was derailed due to external pressure and closed without conclusion. After Lee’s death, Kumar was removed as PWD Secretary and moved to Defence Ministry on deputation.
Chennithala said: _”I am convinced that a detailed Vigilance inquiry is essential… allegation of external influence is serious”_ and Home Department has sought all files of 2006 VACB preliminary inquiry and Crime Branch findings for legal opinion. 4fd5
The move comes amid Congress national agitation seeking Gyanesh Kumar’s removal as CEC over SIR exercise.
