VACB orders probe into alleged Rs 2-cr bribe demand by CEC Gyanesh Kumar in KSTP works

Thiruvananthapuram: The Keralam VACB has constituted a special investigation team to conduct a preliminary enquiry into alleged corruption in road construction works under the KSTP, involving CEC Gyanesh Kumar when he was serving in the state two decades ago.

The enquiry will be conducted by the Vigilance Special Investigation Unit-I, according to an order issued by the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB).

The move follows a complaint lodged by contractor Sajan, alleging that Kumar, who served as the state's Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary nearly two decades ago, had demanded a bribe of Rs two crore for releasing payments for completed works under the project.

In a communication issued on November 5, Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham directed the unit to register a preliminary enquiry and examine the allegations. He also instructed the unit to complete the investigation expeditiously.

The team has been asked to examine relevant documents and statements connected with an earlier Vigilance enquiry, besides looking into the fresh allegations raised in the complaint.

The Director has also instructed the unit to register the enquiry in the prescribed format under the Vigilance Manual and submit the required progress report without delay. Any request for an extension of time should be supported by specific reasons and secured with the prior approval of the Director.

In his complaint, Sajan, a native of Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, alleged that Kumar had deliberately withheld cheques for bills amounting to around Rs 17 crore, despite the payments being cleared by engineers.

The delay in releasing the payments had caused financial difficulties for Malaysian company PATI-BEL and its contractors and workers, he alleged.

According to the complaint, the company's project engineer, Malaysian national Lee See Been, had told Sajan that Kumar was refusing to release the cheques unless the alleged bribe was paid.

The allegations relate to the upgradation of MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), which was undertaken by the PATI-BEL consortium when Kumar was serving as the state's PWD Secretary.

The latest complaint follows an earlier Vigilance probe ordered on October 4 by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala after KPCC leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal raised allegations in connection with the project.

Kumar has not responded to the allegations so far.

The development comes amid protests by the Congress and other opposition parties against Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)