Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Keralam Reopens 2006 Bribery Probe Involving Gyanesh Kumar
A road-building project in Keralam was delayed, and the contractor asked for more money.
A Malaysian project manager, Lee See Been, later died by suicide.
Reports said a note he left accused Public Works Department officials of asking for bribes to approve payments, and reportedly named Gyanesh Kumar, who led the department at the time.
The note was never made public, and the articles do not say that the bribery allegation was proven.
The state government removed Kumar from his job and ordered an investigation in 2006.
Reports say that investigation did not move forward, although a minister told the state assembly in 2010 that two related investigations were ongoing.
The government has now ordered the old probe to be reopened after a Congress leader’s petition.
This is happening while opposition leaders are also calling for Kumar to resign from his current election role over separate claims about voter lists.
Keralam’s government has directed its Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to reopen a 2006 probe into bribery allegations involving then-PWD secretary Gyanesh Kumar.
The allegation arose from a reported suicide note by Malaysian engineer Lee See Been, who worked on the World Bank-aided Kerala State Transport Project; the note was never made public.
PATI-BEL sought a 30% contract increase after land acquisition delays and rising construction costs; the finance department refused and sought permission to re-tender.
The government removed Kumar from his PWD post in December 2006 and ordered a vigilance inquiry; accounts say the probe did not proceed, while a 2010 assembly statement said two KSTP probes were ongoing.
The reopening followed a petition by Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Vengopal and comes amid opposition demands for Kumar’s resignation as Chief Election Commissioner over separate electoral-roll allegations.
- Who
- Keralam’s government and Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau; the allegation reportedly involved then-PWD secretary Gyanesh Kumar and Malaysian engineer Lee See Been.
- What
- Authorities have directed that a 2006 inquiry into alleged bribes for clearing project bills be reopened.
- When
- The allegation dates to 2006; the articles report the reopening order as issued last week or on Sunday, October 4.
- Where
- The Kerala State Transport Project was in Keralam; Lee See Been died in Kuala Lumpur.
- Why
- The reopening followed a petition by Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Vengopal, who said the earlier investigation had been stopped midway.
Case for renewed investigation
Unproven allegation and unclear inquiry record
Alleged bribe requests
Case for renewed investigation
Reports said Lee See Been’s suicide note accused PWD officials of seeking bribes to clear bills and included Kumar’s name.
Unproven allegation and unclear inquiry record
The note was never made public, and the articles report no finding that bribes were requested or paid.
Status of the original probe
Case for renewed investigation
Congress leader Malayinkeezhu Vengopal said the earlier investigation was stopped midway and petitioned for it to be reopened.
Unproven allegation and unclear inquiry record
The articles give differing indications: one says the probe did not proceed, while another reports that a minister told the assembly in 2010 that two KSTP vigilance probes were ongoing.
- Project
- Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), a World Bank-aided road-modernisation project.
- Project cost
- The project was described as costing Rs 1,600 crore.
- Contract
- PATI-BEL took up works worth Rs 216 crore.
- Payment claim
- The company submitted bills worth Rs 18 crore in 2006, according to the articles.
- Contract increase
- PATI-BEL sought a 30% increase; the finance department refused and sought World Bank permission to re-tender.
- Lee See Been
- The 54-year-old project manager died by suicide in Kuala Lumpur on November 11, 2006; reports said his note alleged bribe demands.
- Kumar’s removal
- Kumar was removed as PWD secretary in December 2006, about a month after Lee’s death.
- Project contract later
- After cancelling and re-tendering the contract, the government renewed it with PATI-BEL in 2008 and allotted an additional Rs 72 crore.
