The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, probing the misappropriation of funds in Life Mission housing project in Wadakkancherry, has raised suspicion over the structural stability of the apartment complex under construction. They are gearing up for testing the strength and stability of the building and may approach the Public Works Department. The final decision would be taken on Monday after the Vigilance team visits the construction site.
It would be looked into whether all the building construction guidelines were followed. From the total fund allocated for the project, the money after paying commissions and GST, was only used for construction. From the first instalment from UAE Consulate of Rs 7.5 crore, Rs 4.2 crore was paid as commission and transferred to the bank account of gold smuggling accused Sandeep Nair, Vigilance had confirmed.
Meanwhile, it is also being probed whether any government officials were bribed for the implementation of the project.
The accused in gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh and team, have deliberately attempted to obtain commission right from the initial phase of the project.
The deal between UAE-based Red Crescent and Kerala government’s Life Mission was for constructing housing complex for poor in Wadakkancherry in Thrissur solely on foreign aid of Rs 20 crore.
Yadhu Surendran, former employee of Santhosh Eappen’s Unitac Builders, which is constructing the housing complex, is a friend of Sandeep and he played the intermediary between the latter and the company. Through Eappen, former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, M Sivasankar was contacted. At the same time Sain Ventures also came into picture.
However, Life Mission was unaware of the deals signed by Unitac and Sain Ventures with UAE Consulate. They had altered the plans provided by consultancy Habitat and submitted for the contract.
Out of the Rs 4.6 crore, Rs 3.6 crore was withdrawn from Sandeep’s account and was handed over to a Egyptian native Khalid, an employee of UAE Consulate at Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram, Santhosh Eappen had told Vigilance quoting Swapna. The balance Rs 60 lakh was shared between Swapna and Sandeep. Though Yadhu was offered Rs 6 lakh, it was not given, Eappen had said.
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