SC halts CBI probe into Kerala CM's advisor

New Delhi

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stayed a Kerala High Court order directing the CBI to probe K M Abraham, the chief principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a disproportionate assets case. The bench, led by Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan, issued a notice to the CBI, Kerala government, and the complainant after Abraham filed an appeal.

Senior advocate R Basant argued that an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be filed without prior sanction under Section 17A. The Kerala High Court had earlier ordered the CBI investigation, following a plea by activist Jomon Puthenpurackal, based on a preliminary inquiry that suggested Abraham owned properties disproportionate to his income. The court also expressed doubts about the credibility of a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) probe, suggesting that a CBI investigation would ensure public trust.

The High Court also overruled a 2017 decision by a special judge in Thiruvananthapuram who had dismissed the complaint against Abraham. It criticized the judge for not considering key allegations, including the acquisition of several high-value properties, including apartments in Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram and a shopping complex in Kollam. Abraham denied these allegations, claiming they were baseless. The case now remains on hold as the Supreme Court reviews the matter.