Kerala’s Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a preliminary anti-corruption inquiry against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 4, 2026, over allegations of corruption linked to a 2006 road project. The probe follows a complaint by Congress leader Malayankeezhu Venugopal, who accused Kumar of involvement in irregularities during the upgrade of the Main Central Road under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). The inquiry is being conducted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) and is based on findings from a 2006 investigation that was previously abandoned after Kumar left the state for a central deputation.

The allegations center on the PATI-BEL consortium, an Indo-Malaysian construction firm contracted to upgrade the road. Venugopal claimed that Kumar’s administration caused significant delays and cost escalations, leading to financial losses for the state and the suspected suicide of Lee See Been, the project’s Chief Engineer. According to Chennithala, two suicide notes were found, one of which named Kumar. The CAG had previously criticized the PWD for releasing interest-free advances without proper field audits and for administrative incompetence, estimating losses to the state treasury at ₹92 crores.

The inquiry is also informed by the findings of the 2006 vigilance probe, which was initiated by then Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan. That probe led to Kumar’s removal as PWD secretary, but the investigation was halted after he left for Delhi. Chennithala said the current inquiry is being conducted after legal consultation with Chief Minister VD Satheesan. TM Thomas Isaac, a former CPI(M) minister, welcomed the probe, noting that the 2006 case files should be examined, as PATI-BEL had previously avoided further action due to fears of reputational damage.

The move has political significance, as it aligns with the Congress’s national campaign to remove Kumar from his post as CEC. Opposition parties, including the Cockroach Janta Party, have also demanded his resignation, citing growing allegations of unilateral decisions within the Election Commission. The inquiry is expected to examine whether Kumar’s actions during the 2006 project violated anti-corruption norms and whether there was a failure in due process during the earlier probe.

What remains unclear is the full extent of Kumar’s involvement in the alleged corruption and whether the 2006 probe’s findings were properly documented. The CAG’s report, which highlighted administrative failures, may provide critical evidence, but the exact nature of Kumar’s role is yet to be determined. The VACB is expected to release its findings by early 2027, which could influence the next steps in Kumar’s tenure as CEC.