Palakkad:
Voices are growing in Kerala for a CBI probe into the death of a whistleblower that exposed corruption in state-run Malabar Cements. Shasheendran, a former employee of Malabar Cements, and his two children were found hanging inside their home in Palakkad last week.
Shasheeendran had quit his post as company secretary in October last year after writing to the chief minister about widespread corruption in the company. But soon he withdrew all the charges. His family says he was being constantly threatened by an influential contractor and top officials of the company as he was a key witness in corruption cases involving them.
"He was threatened constantly was forced to commit suicide," said Teena, wife of Shasheendran.
Police have registered a case against the contractor, considered close to the ruling CPM, and two officials of Malabar Cements for abetment to suicide.
According to the post-mortem report, there were bruises on Shasheendran's body fuelling suspicion that he was physically assaulted before his death.
"The government will not oppose in the High Court the petition of Shasheendran's wife seeking a CBI inquiry into his death," said V S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, Kerala.
With key witness Shasheendran no more, there are concerns that corruption cases against top company officials that he brought to light will also be weakened.