Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has formally sought a Vigilance probe into the construction of the ₹270 crore Surgical Block at Kottayam Medical College, weeks after taking a pointed jibe at the previous Left government in the state Assembly over repeated ceiling collapses at the newly inaugurated facility. The move escalates a growing political and safety controversy surrounding the building, which was opened just months ago.

The Probe Demand

In a letter addressed to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Muraleedharan called for a comprehensive investigation into alleged construction irregularities, technical defects, lapses in execution and supervision, and possible financial wrongdoing connected with the project. The Minister has also sought scrutiny of all financial transactions linked to the building's construction.

Safety Fears at the Surgical Block

The new Surgical Block was inaugurated on 16 February 2026 by the then Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Within months of opening, repeated collapses of ceiling portions triggered serious concerns about the structural integrity of the building — one that is meant to house advanced surgical care for patients. Defects have reportedly also been found in civil, plumbing and electrical works, compounding the safety risk for patients, doctors, and hospital staff.

Technical Committee to Assess Structural Safety

Muraleedharan has directed Additional Chief Secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish of the Health Department to constitute a technical committee to inspect the building, identify construction defects, and ensure their rectification. The committee has also been asked to recommend urgent safety measures, and to assess whether construction was carried out in accordance with approved technical standards and whether adequate quality checks were conducted.

A Pattern of Probe Demands

This is not the first time the Minister has sought an investigation into projects linked to the previous administration. Muraleedharan has earlier called for probes into the purchase of hospital furniture in Ayurveda hospitals, alleged financial irregularities at Oushadhi, a bleaching powder purchase by the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL), and Covid-19 procurement deals. Critics argue the cumulative probe demands point to a broader accountability push by the new government, though opposition leaders may contend they carry a political dimension as well.

Political Context

During the recently concluded Assembly session, Muraleedharan had made pointed remarks at the opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M], noting that a building inaugurated by the previous Left government had begun falling apart soon after opening. Those remarks, now followed by a formal Vigilance referral, signal the Kerala government's intent to pursue the matter beyond legislative theatre. With a Vigilance probe, financial accountability and execution lapses will face institutional scrutiny.