Supreme Court Halts CBI Probe Against KM Abraham
In a major relief for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Supreme Court has stayed a Kerala High Court order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch a probe against KM Abraham, the Chief Principal Secretary to the CM, in a case involving allegations of disproportionate assets.
The apex court, in its interim ruling, issued notices to the CBI, the Kerala government, and the original complainant, while considering the special leave petition filed by KM Abraham. The bench, comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan, ruled in favour of a temporary halt on the probe pending further hearing.
Legal Objections Over Sanction
Senior counsel appearing for Abraham argued that the probe ordered by the Kerala High Court lacked legal backing, specifically pointing to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. As per the provision, prior sanction is mandatory before launching an investigation against a public servant for actions carried out in their official capacity. The defense contended that no such sanction had been sought or obtained, rendering the process fundamentally flawed.
The Kerala High Court, in its now-stayed order dated April 11, had instructed the CBI to register an FIR against Abraham after rejecting a closure report previously filed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. The High Court found the initial inquiry unsatisfactory and called for an independent investigation.
Serious Allegations of Asset Misuse
The allegations against Abraham involve the alleged accumulation of assets beyond his known sources of income during his time as Additional Chief Secretary in the Finance Department. These include the reported ownership of a luxury apartment in Mumbai worth ₹3 crore, a ₹1 crore flat in Thiruvananthapuram, and a ₹8 crore commercial property in Kollam district.
KM Abraham, a 1982-batch IAS officer, has held prestigious roles including that of Kerala’s Chief Secretary and a full-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. He currently serves both as the CM’s Chief Principal Secretary and as CEO of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Political Ramifications
The Supreme Court’s stay order comes as a breather for the Left Democratic Front government, which has been under fire from the opposition. The Congress had intensified calls for Abraham’s removal, linking the controversy to broader concerns over ethical governance and misuse of office within the Chief Minister’s Office.
This latest legal intervention not only puts the investigation on hold but also raises questions about procedural compliance in high-profile corruption probes. The case will continue to be monitored closely, given its potential political fallout and implications for administrative transparency in Kerala.
