Kerala Govt to withdraw prosecution against former KSEB chairman in Brahmapuram corruption case

New Delhi : The Kerala Government has issued an official order to withdraw the prosecution against R Narayanan, the former chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and primary accused in the decades-old Brahmapuram Diesel Power Plant corruption case.

In a July 30 directive, the Vigilance Department instructed the Public Prosecutor to file for withdrawal under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
 

The decision follows a representation made by the 87-year-old retired officer in May 2026, requesting relief on administrative, legal and humanitarian grounds. Citing advanced age and failing health, the government stated that subjecting an octogenarian to a protracted trial would be a futile exercise and a breach of natural justice.

The decision also originated from a jurisdictional clash over prosecutorial sanction. While the Special Court in Thiruvananthapuram held that Narayanan was ineligible for Section 197 CrPC protection as a KSEB employee, the administration maintains that as an IAS officer, his appointing and removal authority rests solely with the State.

While the case against the former chairman is set to be dropped, the government clarified that the withdrawal will not act as a bar to the continuation of the trial against the other accused persons involved in the case. Hence, the remaining accused, including former ministers, board members and private company representatives, will continue to face trial in accordance with the law.