Following the High Court’s remark that high-ranking officials were responsible for the fraud in the Life Mission deal, the CBI is planning to tighten the noose by imposing anti-corruption laws in addition to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violations. It was found that Rs 4.48 crore out of the Rs 20 crore, given by the Emirates Red Crescent, was paid as a bribe.
The CBI had also found that Rs 1 crore found in Swapna’s locker was the bribe given to Sivasankar by Unitac. Company owner Santosh Eepan has admitted that he provided six iPhones. The phones cost Rs 3.93 lakh. One of the phones was used by Sivasankar.
Vigilance’s case may be dropped as two agencies’ investigation into a crime is illegal. The CBI has the power to probe foreign donations of over Rs 1 crore. It will also investigate how 2 companies managed to get 26 out of the 36 projects in the LIfe Mission. Financial assistance of voluntary organizations can be received to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
However, other projects require central approval in order to receive foreign aid. The CBI says that Life Mission Deal was an underworld deal. Rs 20 crore reached Kerala as per the Mou with Life Mission. Without the MoU, bribery would have been impossible. UV Jose, CEO who signed the MoU, and officials who approved it are part of the government. The CBI said the agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of Life Mission.
Discussion about this post