Kerala reopens probe against Gyanesh Kumar in 2006 graft case that saw Malaysian engineer’s suicide

The Kerala Home Department has directed a re-investigation into a 2006 corruption probe related to a road project that led to the suicide of Malaysian engineer Lee See Been. The investigation, ordered by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, stems from a complaint that the original inquiry was marred by external influence. Been had accused then Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who was the secretary of the state Public Works Department at the time, of demanding a bribe for clearing project payments.

The road project, KSTR, was financed by the World Bank and faced delays due to alleged inefficiencies in land acquisition from 2001 to 2006. Kumar was transferred from the PWD after the investigation was suspended, and later posted to the Defence Ministry. Chennithala stated that the new probe will be conducted thoroughly and that all legal measures will be taken based on the fresh complaint received.