Kerala Opposition Leader VD Satheesan Moves HC Seeking CBI Probe Into Alleged Corruption in K-FON Project

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan, has filed a plea in the Kerala High Court, seeking a CBI investigation into alleged corruption related to the awarding of contracts for the Left government’s K-FON project, which aims to provide free internet connectivity to the economically disadvantaged.

Satheesan, in his plea, contends that there has been a significant delay in implementing the Kerala Fiber Optic Network (K-FON). The Congress leader asserts that a project with the potential to be a milestone has been entrusted to individuals lacking the necessary qualifications for its execution.

Alleging corruption in the awarding of contracts and subcontracts for project implementation, Satheesan seeks a CBI probe into the matter. The hearing for the plea is expected to take place sometime next week.

Launched last year, K-FON aims to offer free internet to approximately 20 lakh economically vulnerable families and affordable internet rates to others. The government previously announced that over 18,000 government offices in the state have received internet facilities through the Rs 1,500-crore K-FON project.

K-FON represents Kerala’s proprietary internet service, designed to enhance the digital infrastructure in the state. Kerala stands as the first state to recognize the Internet as a fundamental right of its citizens. The project is being executed by a consortium of public sector companies, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Railtel, along with certain private companies.