Kerala government orders graft inquiry against Chief Election Commissioner

The Kerala government has initiated a preliminary anti-corruption inquiry against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reviving allegations that date back two decades. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has been tasked with investigating the matter concerning the IAS official's period as secretary of the state's Public Works Department.

Kumar, a Kerala cadre officer, is among the country's most senior election administrators. The timing of the inquiry's revival has drawn attention given his current high-profile position overseeing electoral processes.

The preliminary investigation will examine the nature and credibility of the historical corruption allegations against Kumar during his PWD tenure. The VACB's findings are expected to determine whether a formal investigation should be initiated.

Such inquiries into sitting senior officials are rare and typically indicate serious concerns on the part of the state administration. The outcome of the vigilance bureau's preliminary examination is likely to have significant implications for Kumar's tenure as Chief Election Commissioner.