Keralam government gets legal opinion to proceed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in abetment to suicide case

In a case dating back two decades, the government of Kerala has received legal advice to take action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for allegedly abetting the suicide of Malaysian engineer Lee See Been. Director General of Prosecution T. Asaf Ali advised that there is no legal barrier to proceeding against Mr. Kumar, as the punishment for his alleged actions could extend up to 10 years.

Lee See Been, a former chief project officer of a World Bank-aided Kerala State Transport Project, reportedly took his own life due to extreme mental stress caused by the harassment he endured at the hands of Mr. Gyanesh Kumar. Been left two suicide notes, one for the PATI director and the other for his wife, detailing his grievances against government officials and the Public Works Department (PWD) ministry.

The PATI-Bel joint venture, which was supposed to construct a 127-km stretch of the M.C. Road at a cost of ₹215 crore, faced severe delays in the release of funds and payments of bills, ultimately leading to Been's tragic decision. The deceased had accused government officials and the PWD ministry of harassing him and delaying payments.

Upon receiving the legal opinion, the State government plans to conduct a thorough investigation into Mr. Kumar's alleged misconduct, as the evidence suggests that his actions were a proximate cause of Been's suicide. Mr. Kumar, a senior bureaucrat at the time, is alleged to have used his authority and power to award works to contractors of his choice, enriching himself at the expense of the government.

Despite the potential delay in proceedings, the legal opinion suggests that it is just and necessary to reopen the inquiry, ensuring that the guilty are held accountable.