Plea Seeking Quashing of CBI Investigation into Kerala LIFE Mission Project Dismissed by Kerala HC

Today, a bench of Justice P Somarajan dismissed the petitions filed for quashing of the Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Kerala LIFE Mission project. The petitioner, Anil Akkara, MLA for Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district had moved a complaint regarding the project pertaining to his constituency.

Brief details about the project in question

The State government had agreed to allot land to building contractors chosen by the donors for setting up the project. The project at Wadakkanchery was funded by the UAE consulate’s Red Crescent. The petitioner contended that there was a violation of FCRA as the State government obtained funds for Unitac builders (which was chosen as a contractor) from Red Crescent.

The Centre Bureau of Investigation filed an FIR pursuant to the complaint, naming Unitac’s Santhosh Eappen, Sane Ventures (another contractor), and “unnamed officials of the LIFE Mission project.” It was alleged that the project was given to Eappen and Sane venture because of Swapna Suresh, former UAE Consulate employee and gold smuggling accused who is working with M Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office.

Further after the filling of FIR, the CEO of LIFE Mission moved to the Kerala High Court seeking quashing of the investigation. Close on the heels of the LIFE Mission plea, Eappen also filed a writ petition prayed for the quashing of the investigation against him and his company.

The Kerala High Court in October admitted the case and granted a two-month interim stay on the investigation in respect of the LIFE mission. However, it refused to quash the investigation against Eappen and Unit