Latest news with #KMAbraham
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
State govt directs revenue department to expedite land acquisition for Thiruvananthapuram airport runway expansion
Thiruvananthapuram: After months of delay, expansion of runway at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has gained fresh momentum, with the state govt directing officials to fast-track land acquisition and clear all related bottlenecks. At a high-level meeting chaired by chief principal secretary to the chief minister K M Abraham, the govt instructed the revenue department to expedite procedures for acquiring 22 acres of land needed for the development of the runway end safety area (RESA) — a critical aviation safety feature mandated by international standards. Originally scheduled for completion by Sept 2024, the RESA expansion project has been delayed due to administrative hurdles and land disputes. The latest govt intervention comes as a push to meet safety norms and accommodate the growing passenger traffic at the international airport. One of the major roadblocks to the expansion has been the 4.5 acres of land under BrahMos Aerospace Ltd, a sensitive defence installation. While the land is essential for the expansion, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Union ministry of defence and its transfer requires Centre's approval. The state govt is also working on identifying an alternative site for the Chackai fire and rescue station, which lies within the proposed expansion zone. Officials have also confirmed that portions of Chackai–Shanghumugham Road may need to be taken over for the project, however they reassured that the ITI at Chackai would remain unaffected. Aviation secretary K Biju told TOI that the expansion of the runway is a top priority for both operational safety and long-term development of the airport. "State govt is fully committed to completing the land acquisition process at the earliest. Coordination with the Union ministry of defence is also underway to resolve the BrahMos land issue," he said. The project, once completed, will improve safety margins for aircraft operations, particularly during emergency landings and in adverse weather conditions. It will also enable the airport to handle larger aircraft, enhancing its potential as a key aviation hub in southern India. Airport authorities and AAI officials have welcomed the govt's proactive stance, noting that RESA expansion was critical for retaining international operational certifications. Revenue and transport officials are expected to intensify measures to complete surveys, initiate compensation packages and begin formal land handovers in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the development of Terminal 2 (International) under Project Anantha is likely to be delayed due to pending environmental clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority.
Deccan Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
SC stays HC order of CBI probe against Kerala CM's ex chief principal secretary
New Delhi: In a relief to K M Abraham, a former IAS officer and the chief principal secretary of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a High Court order to the CBI to file an FIR and start probe against him in connection with a disproportionate assets case."We stay the Kerala High Court order," Justices Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan Principal Secretary K M Abraham should step down, demands V D court also issued notice to the CBI, Kerala government and the complainant-activist Jomon Puthenpurackal, after hearing appeal filed by Abraham. Senior advocate R Basant for Abraham contended that an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be registered without the mandatory sanction under Section 17A of the on a petition by Puthenpurackal, the Kerala High Court ordered the CBI to file an FIR and start probe against Abraham in connection with the disproportionate assets that the CBI probe was necessary, the HC had said since Abraham had held a Cabinet rank, an investigation by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau would not instill public confidence. The High Court also said that the vigilance, while conducting a preliminary inquiry, into the property of Abraham, had deliberately excluded the acquisition of his asets and reduced the substantial value of his assets, with the intent to protect a special court at Thiruvananthapuram had rejected the complainant's plea for a probe into the allegations of disproportionate assets against Abraham, citing lack of evidence.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Supreme Court Halts CBI Probe Against Kerala CM's Chief Principal Secretary
The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a Kerala High Court directive that ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR and investigate KM Abraham, the Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on allegations of possessing disproportionate assets. Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan issued the stay while responding to Abraham's appeal against the High Court order. The bench also sent notices to the CBI, Kerala government, and the original complainant, requesting their responses to the issues raised in the appeal. Senior advocate R Basant, representing Abraham, argued that the FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act was procedurally flawed. Basant highlighted Section 17A of the Act, which requires prior sanction from a competent authority before registering an FIR against a public servant – a step allegedly skipped in Abraham's case. The Kerala High Court had previously ordered the CBI investigation on April 11 based on activist Jomon Puthenpurackal's petition. The court cited concerns about Abraham owning properties seemingly beyond his known income, including a ₹3 crore Mumbai apartment, a ₹1 crore flat in Thiruvananthapuram, and an ₹8 crore shopping complex in Kollam. While the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had previously investigated the matter, the High Court found their inquiry inadequate and "unlikely to instill public confidence," necessitating a central agency's involvement. The High Court had also criticized a 2017 decision by the Thiruvananthapuram Enquiry Commissioner-cum-Special Judge dismissing the original complaint as "perverse and wholly unreasonable." Abraham has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that all properties were acquired legally.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Disproportionate assets case: SC stays order for CBI probe against Kerala CM top advisor
The Supreme Court has stayed the Kerala High Court's order for a CBI probe against K M Abraham, Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala's CM, in a disproportionate assets case. Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan issued a notice following Abraham's appeal, arguing that an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act requires prior sanction. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed an order directing the CBI to file an FIR and start probe against the chief principal secretary of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a disproportionate assets case . A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan issued notice to the CBI, Kerala government and the complainant on an appeal filed by K M Abraham , a retired IAS officer and the CM's chief principal advocate R Basant, appearing for Abraham, submitted an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act cannot be registered without mandatory sanction under Section 17A of the Kerala High Court on April 11 ordered the CBI probe against Abraham on the plea filed by activist Jomon high court observed a careful analysis of the preliminary inquiry report, other materials and Abraham's defence "prima facie indicated he possessed "movable and immovable properties disproportionate to his known sources of income".The probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in the matter, it said, wouldn't "instil confidence in the public" and the credibility of its enquiry was "doubtful".Underlining a fair, honest and complete investigation to retain public confidence in the impartial working of the state agencies, the high court insisted on roping in the CBI to investigate the high court in the process of handing over the probe the central probe agency, set aside a 2017 order of the enquiry commissioner-cum-special judge in Thiruvananthapuram , who rejected the petitioner's complaint against order was "perverse and wholly unreasonable", it high court said the special judge ought to have appreciated the petitioner's contentions with regard to the various properties, worth crores, acquired by Abraham that were excluded from consideration by the VACB enquiry officer."The approach adopted by the Special Judge is not acceptable," it petitioner alleged Abraham, during service, acquired an apartment worth Rs 3 crore in Mumbai, another apartment worth Rs 1 crore at Thycaud in Thiruvananthapuram and constructed a three-storey shopping complex at Kadappakkada in Kollam district worth Rs 8 denied all the allegations.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CBI starts probing KM Abraham's alleged amassment of wealth from Jan 1, 2003 and Dec 31, 2015
Kochi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigation into the allegation of amassment of disproportionate assets against former chief secretary KM Abraham. As per the CBI FIR, the agency is investigating the alleged amassment from Jan 1, 2003 to Dec 31, 2015. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The FIR states the allegation was that in this period he amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The FIR was registered as per Kerala high court direction. The FIR also says the complainant, Jomon Puthenpurackal, has also given a detailed complaint to the CBI on April 25, 2025. The FIR has been registered invoking sections 13 (2) read with 13 (1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act .
