The probe into alleged corruption in Kerala’s State Transport Project (KSTP) widened on Monday after contractor V O Sajan appeared before the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Thiruvananthapuram and raised fresh allegations about the handling of the original investigation.
Sajan, a native of Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, appeared at the VACB office in Muttathara in connection with a preliminary inquiry into the road project. The alleged irregularities date back to 2006, when Gyanesh Kumar was serving as secretary of Kerala’s Public Works Department. Kumar is now the Chief Election Commissioner.
Speaking to reporters before entering the office, Sajan alleged that the initial investigation was inadequate and that evidence indicating Kumar’s alleged involvement had been ignored. He claimed that statements supporting Kumar had been recorded during the earlier inquiry, preventing him from being made an accused in the case.
“There is sufficient information available. However, a detailed investigation was not conducted in the initial stage. It was because of the absence of such an investigation that Gyanesh Kumar was not made an accused in the case,” Sajan said, according to the report.
Sajan further alleged that the then chief commercial manager of the company involved in the project had initially made a statement indicating Kumar’s involvement. He claimed the official was summoned again four months later and threatened with difficulties in clearing bills unless Kumar’s name was removed from the statement. Sajan said the second statement was recorded under pressure and that documentary evidence was available to support his claims.
The VACB’s preliminary probe follows an order by Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala for an inquiry into alleged corruption in the KSTP. The project, undertaken in 2006 with World Bank funding, involved Rs 215 crore for reconstructing the MC Road stretch between Angamaly and Thiruvananthapuram.
PATI-BEL, a joint venture between a Malaysian company and Bhageeratha Engineering, was awarded the contract. The work was carried out by the Malaysian company. Its project engineer, Lee See Been, allegedly raised several complaints during construction before returning to Malaysia, where he later died by suicide.
An investigation was conducted in 2006 but did not progress further after Been’s death in Malaysia and Kumar’s move to New Delhi on central deputation, according to the report. The current inquiry is examining the earlier handling of the case as well as the allegations linked to the road project.
The investigation comes amid protests by the Congress and other opposition parties against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Kumar has not yet responded to the investigation or the allegations. The VACB’s examination of Sajan and the documentary material he says he possesses will determine the next steps in the preliminary probe.
