Kerala Congress govt orders fresh probe into 2006 case linked to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

The Congress-led Kerala government has ordered a fresh Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau probe into a 2006 case involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was serving as the state's Public Works Department secretary. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham to conduct a detailed inquiry into allegations of irregularities and possible external influence in the earlier investigation.

The case concerns the alleged suicide of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, project manager for the PATI-BEL consortium working on Kerala's State Transport Project. Lee died by suicide in Malaysia in 2006 and his suicide notes reportedly referenced difficulties with government officials and corruption concerns. Kumar was among officials mentioned in connection with the case.

The move follows senior CPI(M) leader T M Thomas Isaac reviving allegations on social media and a complaint by Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal, intensifying political controversy around Kumar.