In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has put a temporary halt to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of disproportionate assets against K M Abraham, the Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The apex court’s decision came on Wednesday, following an appeal by Abraham, a retired IAS officer, challenging the Kerala High Court’s April 11 directive for a CBI investigation.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan issued notices to the CBI, the State of Kerala, and the original complainant, activist Jomon Puthenpurackal, seeking their responses to Abraham’s appeal. During the proceedings, Senior Advocate R Basant, representing Abraham, argued that under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, mandatory sanction is required before registering an FIR, which had not been obtained.
The case against Abraham was escalated to the CBI following a Kerala High Court ruling, which found the initial investigation by the state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to be inadequate. The High Court criticized the VACB’s inquiry as lacking the rigor needed to inspire public confidence, describing it as “doubtful” and asserting that only a comprehensive CBI probe could ensure a fair investigation.
Highlighting the need for an impartial and thorough investigation, the High Court had overturned a 2017 decision by the enquiry commissioner-cum-special judge in Thiruvananthapuram, which had dismissed the allegations against Abraham. The High Court pointed out that the judge failed to properly consider evidence related to several properties worth crores, allegedly acquired by Abraham during his tenure in public service.
The properties in question include a ₹3 crore apartment in Mumbai, a ₹1 crore apartment in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, and a three-storey shopping complex in Kadappakkada, Kollam district, valued at ₹8 crore. Abraham has consistently denied all allegations leveled against him.
