The top court stays CBI probe against K.M. Abraham in assets case, citing lack of public confidence

Kerala High Court had noted that Mr. Abraham reported to the Chief Secretary that his wife had not acquired any immovable property during his service period. File

Kerala High Court had noted that Mr. Abraham reported to the Chief Secretary that his wife had not acquired any immovable property during his service period. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

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.

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.

The High Court had observed that the stance of Mr. Abraham that he spent no money for the construction of a shopping complex in Kollam was prima facie not believable as the powers-of-attorney he relied on reflected that he and his brothers agreed to invest equally in the construction.

The High Court had also noted that Mr. Abraham reported to the Chief Secretary that his wife had not acquired any immovable property during his service period. However, the petitioner had produced documents on a series of transactions made by her.