Mr. K.M. Abraham (1982-batch Retired IAS officer), currently serving as the Chief Principal Secretary (CPS) to the Kerala Chief Minister and CEO of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), faces serious trouble as the Kerala High Court has directed a CBI investigation against him. The probe pertains to allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
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The order was issued by a single bench of the High Court led by Justice K Babu, instructing the Kochi unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation to take up the case. The decision came in response to a petition filed by social activist Mr. Jomon Puthenpurackal, who sought a CBI inquiry into the financial dealings of Mr. Abraham.
According to the petitioner, Mr. Abraham allegedly acquired assets far exceeding his known sources of income during his tenure as Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department in 2015. The petition questioned how Mr. Abraham was able to repay large loans despite a salary that did not support such payments. It also claimed that he purchased properties worth crores in different locations.
Although the Kerala Vigilance Department had previously conducted an investigation into the matter, it concluded that the allegations were baseless. However, the High Court found merit in the petition and ordered a fresh probe by the central agency.
Mr. Abraham, a former Chief Secretary of Kerala, has been a key figure in the state administration and continues to hold influential positions. The CBI investigation could have significant political and administrative implications in the state.