KOCHI: The CBI has submitted a preliminary chargesheet in the Wadakkanchery LIFE Mission case. It was filed before the Ernakulam CJM court, alleging that financial irregularities during the housing project’s execution led to its delay.
The chargesheet identifies six individuals as accused, including Sandeep Nair, Swapna Suresh, and the UAE Consulate PRO P S Sarith—who were also implicated in the 2020 gold smuggling case—along with Santhosh Eappen from UNITAC Builders.
Although M Sivasankar, the former principal secretary to ex-chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was mentioned in the FIR, he is absent from the preliminary chargesheet. Ongoing investigations will determine the involvement of government officials, including Sivasankar, sources reported.
This case is linked to the LIFE Mission housing project in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, which received a ₹21-crore contribution from the UAE Red Crescent to help rehabilitate families affected by the 2018 Kerala floods.
The CBI claims that financial misdirection has hindered beneficiaries from accessing the promised housing.
Former Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara initiated the complaint, alleging violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and corruption concerning the management of foreign funds for the project.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is also conducting an investigation into the matter.
