The Kerala High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a case and carry out a full-fledged investigation against K M Abraham, former Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a case alleging the accumulation of wealth beyond his legal income.
The directive came in response to a plea filed by Jomon Puthenpurackal, a social activist from Kottayam, who claimed that Abraham, a retired IAS officer, acquired several high-value properties while in public service that could not be justified by his known sources of income.
Vigilance Report Under Fire
In a strongly worded judgment, Justice K Babu criticized the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for conducting what the court described as a selective and biased enquiry. The court noted that key assets allegedly held by Abraham were deliberately omitted from the investigation.
The judge observed that the enquiry lacked transparency and appeared designed to protect the former bureaucrat. “The credibility of the vigilance probe is highly questionable,” the court stated, adding that only an impartial body like the CBI could ensure a fair investigation.
Legal Advisor Also Criticised
The court also singled out the legal advisor associated with the VACB for failing in his responsibility. According to the order, the advisor acted as a mere supporter of the vigilance report rather than fulfilling his independent role of upholding the law.
“A legal advisor is not an extension of the executive. His role is to assist the court by presenting the truth, not by blindly defending the investigation,” Justice Babu remarked.
Lower Court Decision Overturned
Alongside ordering a CBI probe, the High Court also nullified a 2017 decision by a special judge in Thiruvananthapuram, who had dismissed the complaint against Abraham at an early stage. The High Court called the lower court’s decision “legally flawed and factually baseless”, accusing it of accepting the VACB’s findings without proper scrutiny.
“The Special Judge failed to apply judicial mind to the relevant evidence and the serious nature of the allegations,” the court said.
Serious Asset Allegations
The petitioner has alleged that Abraham purchased multiple properties whose value runs into crores, including:
An apartment worth ₹3 crore in Mumbai
Another flat worth ₹1 crore in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram
A three-storey commercial building in Kollam, estimated at ₹8 crore
The complaint claims these assets were acquired during Abraham’s service tenure and were not declared or supported by legitimate income records. Abraham has denied all wrongdoing.
CBI To Take Over Investigation
In concluding its order, the court stressed the need to restore public faith in the justice system and state institutions. “To ensure a transparent, unbiased and comprehensive investigation, the case must be handled by the CBI,” the court directed.
The verdict marks a significant escalation in the case, potentially bringing renewed scrutiny on senior officials and the role of state investigative agencies in holding them accountable.
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