Disproportionate assets case: Supreme Court stays CBI probe against Kerala CM’s Principal Secretary

Supreme Court stays CBI probe against Kerala Chief Minister's aide in assets case, citing lack of public confidence.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) stayed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe ordered by the Kerala High Court against K.M. Abraham, the Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a disproportionate assets case.

A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan issued notice to the CBI on a special leave petition filed by Mr. Abraham.

Earlier in April, the Kerala High Court had directed the Central agency to investigate Mr. Abraham, who is also the CEO of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

The order was passed by the High Court on a petition filed by activist Jomon Puthenpurackal, who had challenged an order of the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance special court dismissing his plea for a vigilance probe into allegations of disproportionate wealth.

The High Court had justified a CBI probe by observing that Mr. Abraham held a Cabinet rank, and an investigation by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau would not instill public confidence.

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The Vigilance, while conducting a preliminary inquiry, had deliberately excluded the acquisition of property having substantial value by Mr. Abraham with the intent to protect him. Hence, a CBI probe was necessary, the HC had observed.