In a decisive step, the Kerala High Court has ordered a CBI investigation against K.M. Abraham, former Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and former CEO of KIIFB, in a serious case of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The order was passed by Justice K. Babu.
Petition by a Human Rights Activist.
The court’s authoritative decision came on a petition filed in 2018 by human rights activist Jomon Puthenpurackal. Based on the petitioner’s deposition, the preliminary vigilance report, and supporting documents, the court directed the Superintendent of the CBI Kochi Unit to register a case.
Vigilance Probe Under Suspicion.
The controversy deepened due to the questionable manner in which the vigilance department conducted its probe. The High Court directly observed that attempts were made to shield K.M. Abraham, which raised suspicion. As a result, the court ruled that no further preliminary inquiry is needed and instructed that all documents be handed over to the CBI. The 2017 Vigilance Court's order was also quashed.
Serious Findings: Document Forgery and Discrepancies
Repayment Beyond Income:
The court noted that despite being questioned, Abraham failed to convincingly explain how he was able to repay loan amounts each month that exceeded his salary.
Concealed Properties:
Abraham’s claim that a three-storey shopping complex in Kadappakada, Kollam, was owned by his brother was invalidated after the petitioner produced municipal corporation documents proving Abraham's ownership. This significantly strengthened the allegation.
Non-disclosure for 33 Years:
It was revealed that Abraham had violated Rule 16 of the Conduct Rules by failing to submit annual statements of assets held by his wife and children for over 33 years.
Luxury Items in Bank Locker:
The petition also pointed out the discovery of 100 sovereigns of gold and other high-value jewellery and transactions in a bank locker under his wife's name, with documentation presented to support the claim.
Urgency and Transparency Emphasized
Justice K. Babu clearly stated in the judgment:
> "It is essential that the investigation is conducted with honesty and impartiality. Public trust must be established through transparency in proceedings."
The order sends a strong message to the bureaucratic system and governance in Kerala. The next phase will reveal how far the CBI's detailed probe will take this high-profile case.
