Kerala Home Minister orders graft probe into former CEC's alleged ₹2-crore bribery

The Kerala Home Minister has directed the state's vigilance and anti-corruption bureau to investigate bribery allegations against Gyanesh Kumar, the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner of India. The charges relate to events spanning nearly two decades, specifically connected to a road construction project executed under the Kerala State Transport Project during Kumar's tenure as Kerala's Public Works Department Secretary. The directive to launch a formal probe represents a significant development given Kumar's high-profile constitutional position overseeing India's electoral processes. Details of the alleged ₹2-crore bribery incident have prompted the Home Minister to pursue an official investigation through established anti-corruption mechanisms. The vigilance inquiry will examine the circumstances of the project, the allegations of financial impropriety, and whether conduct violations occurred during Kumar's service in the Kerala administration. The outcome of this investigation could have implications for Kumar's position as CEC, one of India's most sensitive constitutional offices.