Thiruvananthapuram: Home minister Ramesh Chennithala has given the go-ahead for a vigilance investigation into allegations against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, based on revelations made by contractor V O Sajan in connection with the suicide of Malaysian engineer Lee See Bin.Sajan had alleged in his complaint that Kumar, while serving as the public works department (PWD) secretary, had demanded a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Bin for clearing pending bills related to Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).Ramesh said the sanction was accorded on Tuesday evening after getting the legal opinion and consulting with the chief minister. He also said Sajan had mentioned in his complaint that he was ready to submit the proof for his allegation. Hence, as per Supreme Court directives and legal opinion, it has been decided to go for a vigilance probe.In his complaint to the director of vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB), Sajan of Chadayamangalam in Kollam district alleged that Kumar had deliberately withheld cheques for bills worth around Rs 17 crore despite the payments having been approved by engineers.The delay in clearing the bills allegedly caused severe financial difficulties for PATI-BEL, the Malaysian company that executed the KSTP project, and its contractors and workers.Sajan, who worked as a sub-contractor for the company, claimed that Bin, the project’s engineer, had personally told him about the alleged demand for a bribe. He also said Bin had been living near his house at Chadayamangalam.According to the complaint, Bin had informed him that the company authorities were unwilling to pay a bribe to secure the release of the pending payments. Sajan further alleged that Bin had used funds from another company project in Bengaluru to settle part of the dues owed to contractors and workers.The complainant claimed that the alleged bribery demand and the delay in releasing the approved payments contributed to Bin’s suicide in 2006. He also alleged that Kumar’s name had figured in the suicide note and that the engineer’s family members in Malaysia had informed company employees about it.Sajan questioned the earlier vigilance inquiry into the incident, alleging that he and other persons with direct knowledge of the matter had not been questioned. He offered to produce Bin’s family members, former company employees and other witnesses to substantiate his allegations.The fresh complaint is expected to be examined as part of the preliminary inquiry into the KSTP-related allegations. The development comes after Chennithala ordered a separate vigilance probe on Oct 4 following a complaint by KPCC functionary Malayinkeezhu Venugopal. The complaint alleged corruption in the upgradation of MC Road under KSTP, executed by the PATI-BEL consortium during Kumar’s tenure as PWD secretary.
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