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The enquiry has been ordered on a complaint filed by Malayankeezhu Venugopal, who has sought a probe into allegations.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar (PTI/File)
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a vigilance enquiry into allegations of corruption against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar dating back to 2006, when he was serving as the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) secretary.
The enquiry has been ordered on a complaint filed by Malayankeezhu Venugopal, who has sought a probe into allegations concerning the award of public works contracts during Kumar’s tenure as PWD secretary.
The allegations also relate to the death of Lee See Been, a Malaysian national who was the chief project manager of PATI-BEL, an Indo-Malaysian joint venture involved in a road project under the Kerala State Transport Project. Lee died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur in 2006.
His suicide note was reportedly said to have mentioned Kumar’s name and contained allegations concerning corruption and harassment by PWD officials.
What Are The Allegations Against Gyanesh Kumar?
According to the complaint, Kumar allegedly committed criminal misconduct in connection with the award of public works to contractors while he was PWD secretary.
The complaint has also sought an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lee’s death, and the allegations reportedly contained in his suicide note.
At A Glance
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a vigilance enquiry into corruption allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The allegations date back to 2006 when Kumar was the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) secretary.
The enquiry was ordered based on a complaint by Malayankeezhu Venugopal.
Allegations concern the award of public works contracts and the death of Malaysian national Lee See Been.
Lee See Been, chief project manager of PATI-BEL, died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur in 2006.
The issue had previously led to a vigilance enquiry. Reports from the time indicate that Kumar was transferred out of the PWD before the end of 2006 after the controversy emerged. The earlier enquiry, however, did not reach a conclusive outcome.
According to Venugopal’s complaint, the earlier Vigilance enquiries were closed abruptly, and the allegations were not properly pursued.
Kerala Government Seeks Old Vigilance Records
The latest move comes after the Kerala Home Department sought files relating to the preliminary vigilance enquiry conducted against Kumar in 2006. The records reportedly concern the probe launched following Lee’s suicide and the allegations surrounding the Kerala State Transport Project.
The matter has resurfaced nearly two decades later amid growing political criticism of Kumar over the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The new Vigilance enquiry will examine the allegations raised in the complaint.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a vigilance enquiry into corruption allegations dating back to 2006, when Gyanesh Kumar was serving as the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) secretary. The enquiry follows a complaint by Malayankeezhu Venugopal concerning the award of public works contracts and the 2006 suicide of Lee See Been, a Malaysian national and project manager whose suicide note allegedly mentioned Kumar and harassment by PWD officials.
Ask News18About the Author
Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than four years of experience in national and international news. My work involves covering breaking news, politics, current affairs and developments…Read More
Kerala, India, India
October 04, 2026, 07:22 IST
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