A Single Bench of Justice K Babu observed merit in the petition and directed the CBI's Kochi unit to take over the case.
Published Apr 11, 2025 | 1:18 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 11, 2025 | 1:18 PM
Kerala HC orders CBI probe against CMO's Chief Principal Secretary Abraham
Synopsis: Activist Joemon Puthenpurackal alleged that KM Abraham had acquired wealth beyond his means during his tenure as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department in 2015. Puthenpurackal also likened Abrahan to M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to the chief minister, who had been jailed in multiple cases.
The High Court of Kerala on Friday, 11 April, ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations that KM Abraham, former Chief Secretary and current Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had massed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The directive was issued by a Single Bench of Justice K Babu while considering a petition filed by public activist Joemon Puthenpurackal, who alleged that Abraham had acquired wealth beyond his means during his tenure as Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department in 2015.
The court observed merit in the petition and directed the CBI’s Kochi unit to take over the case, which had earlier been closed by the State Vigilance Department during the tenure of then Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas.
Speaking to the media, Puthenpurackal alleged that Abraham had long tried to hide his assets and compared him to M Sivasankar, the former principal secretary to the chief minister, who was jailed in connection with multiple cases.
“He misused his official position to escape scrutiny,” he said.
The petitioner also raised concerns over how Abraham allegedly repaid monthly loans exceeding his official salary and pointed to properties worth crores in various locations.
Besides being the chief principal secretary to the chief minister, Abraham is also the CEO of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board. He had retired as the state’s chief secretary in December 2017.
