A preliminary inquiry has been launched by the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau into allegations of bribery against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stemming from his tenure as a Public Works Department secretary in 2006.
The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has commenced a preliminary inquiry into bribery allegations involving Gyanesh Kumar, the current Chief Election Commissioner of India. The inquiry is based on accusations that Kumar sought a bribe of Rs 2 crore during his tenure as secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Kerala in 2006.
On November 9, 2023, the investigation team recorded a statement from VO Sajan, a supplier of materials to the PATI-BEL consortium, a contracting firm that executed projects under the Kerala State Transport Project. This inquiry has garnered significant attention due to its implications for Kumar, who is now in a high-ranking electoral position.
Background of the Allegations
The accusations date back to 2006, the year in which the chief project manager of PATI-BEL, Malaysian national Lee See Been, tragically died by suicide. Following his death, allegations surfaced against PWD officials, including Kumar, suggesting that he had solicited a bribe to release pending payments for work completed by the consortium. Media reports at the time indicated that Kumar was named in Lee’s suicide note, though the contents of the note were never made public by Lee’s family.
Initially, the Vigilance Bureau investigated these claims but closed the case due to a lack of evidence supporting the allegations of bribery or misconduct. The inquiry was halted after investigators found no irregularities within the project. However, the recent resurgence of these allegations has prompted renewed interest in the case.
Renewed Investigation
In October 2023, Kerala’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a fresh investigation into the matter, a decision prompted by a complaint filed by Congress leader Malainkeezhu Gopalakrishnan. The inquiry aims to reassess the previous findings and investigate any new evidence that may have emerged since the case was initially closed.
Weeks after the minister’s order, Sajan came forward with fresh allegations, claiming that Kumar had solicited a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Lee in exchange for releasing pending bills. Sajan has since submitted a formal complaint to the Vigilance director, urging a thorough investigation into the matter.
In an interview, Sajan recounted his experiences as a supplier for PATI-BEL, stating, “PATI-BEL’s camp office in Chadayamangalam was close to my house. My friends and I had a contract to supply materials and machinery. We used to get payment on time until it stopped abruptly one day. Some of us went to Lee’s cabin to protest. That is when we learned that four bills worth around Rs 14 crore were held up by PWD secretary Gyanesh. Lee and other PATI-BEL engineer Sukumaran told us that Gyanesh had sought a bribe of Rs 2 crore.”
Lee See Been’s Tragic Death
Lee See Been’s suicide occurred on November 11, 2006, at a park near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reports indicate that he left behind two suicide notes, one directed to his wife and another to company director Ross Lee. According to Sajan, Sukumaran, another employee of PATI-BEL, informed him that Kumar was mentioned in the notes. However, the details of these notes remain undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the case.
Sajan expressed frustration over the previous investigation, stating, “Had the Vigilance taken statements from PATI-BEL employees like Sukumaran, then they could have cracked the case.” This sentiment underscores concerns regarding the thoroughness of the original inquiry.
Current Developments and Ongoing Inquiry
Independent verification by The News Minute confirmed the existence of a PATI-BEL office in Chadayamangalam and the employment of Sukumaran, who subsequently returned to Malaysia following Lee’s death. Attempts to locate Sukumaran for further statements have been unsuccessful.
Sources connected to the project, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that they were unaware of any bribery allegations, asserting that Lee had not mentioned such matters prior to his departure for Malaysia in November 2006. According to these sources, it was the finance department that withheld the bills, rather than the PWD, which raises questions about the accuracy of the claims being investigated.
The current inquiry into Gyanesh Kumar’s alleged misconduct comes at a time when scrutiny of public officials is particularly heightened. The outcome of this investigation may not only impact Kumar’s career but also set a precedent for handling corruption allegations against high-ranking officials in India.
