‘Crime Never Dies’: Kerala Home Minister Says Vigilance Probe Against Gyanesh Kumar Underway

Responding to a submission by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator A.K.M. Ashraf, Chennithala said the investigation was progressing and would examine all relevant aspects before making its findings public.

“Crime never dies,” the minister said, adding that the inquiry would take time because it involved multiple incidents dating back approximately 20 years.

The fresh investigation was ordered on October 4 after Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Venugopal submitted a petition. It will examine allegations that external pressure had disrupted an earlier preliminary Vigilance inquiry conducted in 2006.

The case is connected to the death of Malaysian civil engineer Lee See Been, who died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur in November 2006 after returning from Kerala. Lee was associated with the PATI-BEL consortium, which had been entrusted with upgrading the MC Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).

According to reports, a purported suicide note attributed to Lee referred to Kumar, who was serving as Kerala's PWD Secretary at the time. The allegations also concern suspected irregularities associated with the road project and the handling of the initial investigation.

The Kerala Home Department has sought records relating to the earlier Vigilance proceedings as part of the renewed inquiry. Investigators will examine how the original investigation was conducted and whether any external influence affected its progress.

Chennithala had directed the Vigilance Director last week to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged interference and take appropriate action based on the findings.

The minister has maintained that the allegations concerning possible interference warrant detailed scrutiny. The latest inquiry is intended to establish whether the earlier proceedings were compromised and whether further action is justified.

The investigation comes amid a separate political controversy involving Kumar and Opposition parties at the national level. However, the Kerala inquiry relates specifically to allegations concerning his tenure as a state government official around 20 years ago.

The allegations, including the reported reference to Kumar in the purported suicide note, have not by themselves established any wrongdoing. The ongoing investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the original inquiry and whether the evidence warrants further proceedings.

The state government has said that all relevant aspects will be examined before the findings are disclosed.