In 2019, the Kerala Lokayukta issued notices to Pinarayi Vijayan and some ministers.
Allegations of mismanagement of state relief funds by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his government were today referred to a larger bench by the Lokayukta or anti-corruption watchdog following a difference of opinion between two judges.
Pinarayi Vijayan and several ministers are respondents in a case involving allegations that the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) was mismanaged.
The Lokayukta took up the matter today after the Kerala High Court asked the petitioner to approach the watchdog last week. Activist RS Shashi Kumar appealed to the High Court against the verdict, arguing that the trial of the case had been completed a year ago.
The petition alleges nepotism in the distribution of relief funds – among the beneficiaries were the family of a CPI(M) MLA who died, the family of a Left colleague who died, and one killed in an accident in Kerala The police officer’s family while accompanied by CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
In 2019, accepting the activist’s complaint, the Kerala Lokayukta issued notices to Mr Vijayan and some ministers.
The two judges were divided on whether the allegations had merit or not.
“As we differ on the fundamental issue whether the actions of the respondents… as members of the Cabinet in taking the impugned decision can be examined under the provisions of the Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999 and the merits of the allegations leveled by the complainant Based on the above, we are constrained to submit this complaint for investigation by the Lokayukta and both the Deputy Lok Commissioners as required under Section 7(1) of the Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999,” the judges said.
The Lokayukta is hearing the case against the chief minister at a time when a bill to change the powers of the state is pending with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
In April 2021, the then state Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel had to step down following a Lokayukta verdict, indicting him for abuse of official powers and nepotism.