Keralam Orders Preliminary Vigilance Probe Over 2006 Road Project Linked to CEC
BJP criticises move over 2006 Kerala State Transport Project allegations.
Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday said the preliminary vigilance probe ordered into corruption allegations linked to a 2006 Kerala State Transport Project road work was not initiated because of any political disagreement. The project is connected to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was serving as the state’s Public Works Department secretary when the road work was carried out. Chennithala said the inquiry would be based on evidence and the facts emerging from the case.
The state government has ordered a preliminary vigilance investigation into allegations surrounding the road project, which was executed under the Kerala State Transport Project. The probe comes years after the work was undertaken and is focused on allegations of corruption connected with the project. Gyanesh Kumar’s name has come into the discussion because of his position as PWD secretary in Kerala at the time, although the inquiry concerns the allegations associated with the project.
Chennithala rejected the suggestion that the government’s decision was motivated by political differences. He maintained that the vigilance process would examine the available evidence and determine whether there was sufficient material to proceed further. The minister’s comments came amid political criticism of the decision, particularly from the BJP, which has questioned the timing and circumstances surrounding the probe.
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The controversy has gained attention because Gyanesh Kumar currently holds the constitutional position of Chief Election Commissioner. His association with the project dates back to his tenure as Kerala’s PWD secretary, well before his present role. The state government’s decision to examine the old project has therefore drawn political reactions, with the BJP criticising the move while the government has maintained that the inquiry is an administrative process based on allegations requiring examination.
The preliminary nature of the vigilance inquiry means that the authorities are at the initial stage of examining the allegations and available material. The probe is intended to determine whether the claims relating to the 2006 road project warrant further investigation or action. At this stage, the allegations remain subject to examination and no conclusion regarding wrongdoing has been established through the preliminary inquiry.
The state government has reiterated that the investigation should be allowed to proceed on the basis of evidence rather than political considerations. Chennithala’s statement comes as the BJP continues to criticise the decision and the government faces questions over the probe involving a person who now heads the Election Commission of India. Further action will depend on the findings of the vigilance authorities and the evidence that emerges during the inquiry.
