Two-decade-old case clouds Kerala poll chief's record

The vigilance investigation centres on allegations of administrative irregularities that occurred during Gnanesh Kumar's time as secretary of Kerala's Public Works Department. The inquiry, ordered by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, reopens questions surrounding a 20-year-old case that had faded from public attention.

The case traces back to 2006 and involves the death of Malaysian engineer Lee See Bin, whose suicide had raised serious concerns about potential lapses in departmental oversight and project management at the time. The circumstances surrounding the engineer's death had previously attracted investigative scrutiny, though details of the original probe remain limited.

Gnanesh Kumar's appointment as Chief Election Commissioner, India's highest electoral authority, has now triggered renewed interest in his administrative history. The timing of the vigilance order suggests that his elevation to the national post has prompted authorities to reexamine his record in state service.

The Home Ministry's decision to formally investigate these allegations represents a significant development, potentially affecting the credibility of Kumar's tenure at the helm of the Election Commission. The inquiry will likely examine decision-making and administrative practices from his PWD tenure, particularly those connected to the 2006 incident.