Kerala Orders Vigilance Probe Against Poll Body Chief Gyanesh Kumar In 2006 Case

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered an investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities during his tenure as the southern state's Public Works Department (PWD) secretary in 2006.The matter is linked to the alleged death by suicide of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who was with the PATI-BEL consortium tasked with upgrading a road under the Keralam State Transport Project (KSTP).The engineer's "suicide note" had reportedly named Gyanesh Kumar, who was serving as the state PWD secretary, at the time, news agency ANI reported, adding the fresh probe was initiated following allegations that the original preliminary investigation conducted in 2006 was derailed due to external pressure.Taking note of the matter, the Home Department has sought all files pertaining to the 2006 VACB preliminary inquiry.Chennithala has directed the vigilance director to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations…