The Lok Ayuktha of Keralam has sought to know from the State government whether any file relating to the extension or renewal of agreement for hiring a helicopter from Chipsan Aviation Private Limited is under its consideration.
A Division Bench of the anti-corruption body consisting of Lok Ayuktha N. Anilkumar and Upa Lok Ayuktha Ashok Menon sought the details on a petition filed by social activist K. M. Shajahan, who maintained that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was unfit to continue in office as he abused his official position and committed nepotism and maladministration following the use of a helicopter from the company at a time when a proposal from the company to provide a helicopter on pay-per-use basis was pending before the government.
Earlier, the government had entered into an agreement with the firm to provide a helicopter for a fixed monthly charge of ₹80 lakh for 25 flying hours. The recommendation of the State Police Chief for the extension of service was under the consideration of the government, claimed Mr. Shajahan. He alleged that the Chief Minister used the helicopter of the company at a time when it had a direct and substantial commercial interest in a matter to be decided by the State government.
The Lok Ayuktha sought to know whether any other application, proposal or file for hiring the helicopter of the same firm or any other person was pending before the government. If pending, the government should inform the panel whether it is the State Cabinet or the Minister concerned who is the competent authority to decide on it. The relevant provisions of the Rules of Business or other orders under which that authority is determined shall also be produced, directed the Bench.
The Chief Minister, who had come under political criticism for undertaking the journey on a private aircraft, had defended the travel decision and maintained that the State had not suffered any pecuniary loss following the trip. He also contended that the journey was undertaken as part of the disaster management activity following a landslide in Malappuram, which had killed eight people.
The Lok Ayuktha felt that whether a proposal of the company for the renewal of the aircraft service was pending before the government or has lapsed, the purpose of the journey, the circumstances in which the facility was offered and accepted, and the manner in which the company’s proposal was handled by the government should be considered. It also felt necessary to ascertain whether a decision on the files involving the finance and policy matters is taken by the Chief Minister or the Minister concerned individually or requires a decision of the Cabinet.
The State shall also file a statement on the purpose of the visit, whether it was a private or public journey and the circumstances in which the helicopter was offered and accepted. The details of the disaster management activity said to have been undertaken by the State government on the day with the relevant documents shall also be provided.
The forum said it was not yet satisfied that a prima facie case was made out for admission, and it required further verification in a preliminary inquiry. It clarified that the day’s proceedings were neither an admission of the complaint nor a finding on either side. The questions about the maintainability of the petition will be decided later, it said.
The forum posted the case for November 3 for a preliminary inquiry and hearing on admission.
Published - October 07, 2026 06:00 am IST