V. K. Ebrahimkunju

Valiyaparambil Khader Ebrahim Kunju (20 May 1952 – 6 January 2026) was an Indian politician, who was the Minister for Public Works of the Government of Kerala. He represented the Kalamassery constituency in Kerala from 2011 to 2021.

Background V. K. Ebrahim Kunju was born at Kongorpilly, Aluva on 20 May 1952, to V. U. Khader and Chithumma. His wife was Nadeera and they had three children Adv. Abdul Gafoor, Abbas and Anoob.

Political career Ebrahimkunju was the Minister for Industry and Social Welfare in the previous UDF Ministry. He entered politics through the Muslim Students Federation and the Muslim Youth League. He served as the chairman and chief executive of Forest Industries (Travancore) Ltd.

Following the resignation of Muslim League leader, P.K. Kunhalikutty the then Minister for Industries on 4 January 2005, after the ice cream parlour sex scandal, V. K.Ebrahim Kunju was chosen to represent the party inside the UDF cabinet. Subsequently, he assumed office on 6 January 2005 as the Minister for Industries and Social Welfare. He became the Minister for Public Works from 23 May 2011 to 20 May 2016 in the second Oommen Chandy ministry.

In addition to his legislative responsibilities, V. K. Ebrahim Kunju worked in various organizations in Kerala.

Minister of Public Works Ebrahimkunju was the Minister of Public Works during the period from 18 May 2011 to 20 May 2016. Oommen Chandy was the chief minister during the period.

Achievements During the period, as per the list published by Oommen Chandy, 227 bridges worth Rs. 1600 crore were built across Kerala under the Ministership of Ebrahimkunju. Such huge development works are unprecedented and cover all districts of Kerala as listed below. +New Bridges in each District (2011–2016) District No. of Bridges District No. of Bridges Trivandrum 9 Kollam 16 Pathanamthitta 17 Alapuzha 16 Kottayam 10 Ernakulam 28 Idukki 17 Trissur 9 Palakkad 12 Wayanad 9 Kozhikode 24 Kannur 20 Malappuram 20 kasaragod 16 A number of State Highways were constructed including all regions of the state under Second Chandy ministry, and the final decision to widen the National highways of the state to 45 m was taken in 2014.

Illness and death Ebrahimkunju was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2020 and underwent chemotherapy. As per medical reports he needed further treatment. Doctors added that he had serious health issues and required continuous medical care.

Ebrahimkunju died at Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi, on 6 January 2026, at the age of 73. He had been undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, heart failure and chronic kidney disease before his death. He had been admitted to hospital on 4 January following health-related complications, according to hospital authorities.

Awards Ebrahimkunju was awarded many accolades for his exemplary development works as Minister. Name of Award Awarder Best Minister in Kerala State Cabinet 2012. Deccan Chronicle (English Daily). Best Minister of 2013. Keli Kerala. Minister of Excellence Award International Road Federation, USA. Global Road Achievement Award 2015 Indo American Press Club. Kerala Ratna Puraskaram. Keraleeyam U.K. Chapter of Global Kerala initiative. Palakkad development Award. Palakkad Development Samithy.

Controversies

Palarivattom Flyover scam Ebrahimkunju was the 12th minister in the second Oommen Chandy ministry (2011–16) to be charged with graft by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Both Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) are conducting investigation against V K Ebrahim Kunju in the alleged money laundering case and Palarivattom flyover corruption case. 5 February 2020: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan granted permission to prosecute former PWD minister and Muslim League leader VK Ebrahim Kunju MLA in the Palarivattom flyover scam. 29 February 2020: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau interrogated V. K. Ebrahim Kunju. 9 March 2020: The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted raids at the residence of V K Ebrahim Kunju in Kochi.

Money laundering 15 November 2019: The Kerala High Court ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the case involving allegations of money laundering against former PWD minister VK Ebrahim Kunju. He was accused of depositing Rs 10 crores into the bank accounts of IUML's mouthpiece Chandrika when high-value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were banned by the central government in November 2016. He entered into controversy after he offered Gireesh Babu, the complainant Rs 5 lakh to withdraw the complaint.

Assembly polls in Kerala will be held on 6 April as declared by Election Commission. Vigilance probe team plans to submit chargesheet before Kerala Assembly Polls.