Keralam Government Firm on Anti-Corruption Probe Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over 2006 Road Project

The Keralam government has maintained its stance on pursuing a fresh anti-corruption inquiry related to a road development project from 2006, involving Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, who served as the State's Public Works Department (PWD) secretary at the time.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, PWD Minister P.K. Basheer stated in the State Assembly that the government intends to take further action following a review of an earlier investigation report that was reportedly closed without completion. The remarks were made in response to questions from BJP MLAs B.B. Gopakumar, V. Muraleedharan, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Background of the Allegations

The inquiry stems from a 2006 World Bank-funded project worth ₹215 crore undertaken by the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) to reconstruct the MC Road from Angamaly to Thiruvananthapuram. According to the disclosures in the Assembly:

• Financial Discrepancies: Key allegations include contracts awarded significantly above estimated costs, causing a reported loss of around ₹700 crore. Estimates for road improvement were ₹787 crore against awarded contracts of ₹1,209 crore, and construction estimated at ₹244 crore was awarded for ₹343 crore.
• CAG Report Findings: A 2004 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report indicated a loss of ₹84 crore due to inflated tender amounts and questioned the engagement of a foreign consultancy firm paid ₹50 crore over local agencies.
• Past Claims: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) had previously examined claims that PWD officials demanded ₹2 crore to clear contractor bills without proper verification.
• Project Manager Incident: The government stated it would consider a detailed investigation into the suicide of the project manager of PATI-BEL—a joint venture involved in the project—to examine if financial exploitation played a role.

Legislative Actions and Responses

The BJP Keralam unit has questioned the timing and motives behind the revived inquiry, with MLA B.B. Gopakumar suggesting that delayed action raises suspicions. Meanwhile, a fresh preliminary inquiry has been ordered due to noted discrepancies in the 2006 VACB investigation, though the final report is still pending. Separately, the Keralam Assembly also passed a resolution seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and addressing electoral roll revision defects.

Readers can verify these developments by reviewing official proceedings of the Keralam Legislative Assembly and public statements issued by the State government.