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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the confiscation of properties valued at Rs 5.38 crore in its ongoing investigation into the alleged financial misconduct surrounding Kerala's LIFE (Livelihood Inclusion Financial Empowerment) Mission. Among the attached assets, the residential properties are registered under the name of Santhosh Eappen, whereas the immovable assets and bank balances belong to Swapna Suresh, as per the federal agency's disclosure.
The probe has linked these assets to the alleged money laundering operations connected with the LIFE Mission scam. The LIFE Mission project was initially envisioned to offer housing to flood victims. The core of the allegations revolves around a purported conspiracy, primarily orchestrated by Sarith PS and Swapna Suresh, who once held positions at the UAE consulate. It is alleged that they received the "active support" of individuals like M Sivasankar, who formerly served as the principal secretary to Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with others such as Sandeep Nair.
The ED claims that the aforementioned individuals colluded to extract "commission as bribe" from the funds donated by the Red Crescent. This was executed by granting the LIFE Mission project to Unitac Builders and Developers and Sane Ventures LLP, spearheaded by Santhosh Eappen, without adhering to standard transparency protocols.
The ongoing investigation into the LIFE (Livelihood Inclusion Financial Empowerment) Mission's money laundering controversy has its roots in a complaint lodged by Kerala's Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) and an FIR filed by the CBI. The complaint accuses Unitac Builders and Developers Private Limited and Sane Ventures LLP of obtaining undue financial benefits from the Life Mission Project, along with allegations of illicit payments to several individuals, including public servants.
As the investigation delved deeper, the ED unearthed that from the funds received for the Life Mission project, an upfront commission, amounting to a bribe of Rs 4.40 crore, was arranged by Santhosh Eappen. This amount was allegedly meant for officials from the UAE consulate and certain functionaries within the Kerala government. The funds were sourced directly from the bank accounts belonging to Santhosh Eappen's companies.
In a startling revelation, the ED also asserted that a sum of USD 1,90,000, sourced from this bribe money, was illicitly transferred overseas by Khaled Ahmed Ali Shoukry, who previously held the position of the finance head at the UAE Consulate in Trivandrum.
Further complicating the narrative, the ED identified Sandeep Nair and Yedu Sundran as key players in the money laundering activities, which were centred on the proceeds from this criminal enterprise.
As the LIFE Mission scandal continues to unravel, the latest developments shed light on the intricate web of alleged financial improprieties and the involvement of high-profile individuals. With assets now seized, it remains to be seen how the investigation will further progress and the implications it will have on this life-saving mission for the needy in the state.
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