Kochi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the Kerala High Court that there was corruption in the Life Mission project. CBI stated that Santhosh Eappen, owner of Unitac, had given cash and phones and it amounted to corruption.
The HC directed CBI to explain how the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) violation charge against Unitac was legally valid. The court also said it did not intend to summon vigilance documents in the case.
Earlier, Life Mission CEO U. V. Jose had filed a petition in the court stating that the CBI investigation was not valid. He urged the HC to cancel the CBI probe. Later, Unitac also filed a similar petition. The CBI clarified its stance when the HC considered this petition on Monday.
Unitac owner Santhosh Eappen has given cash and phones as commission in the deal. It is based on this that the CBI is saying there was corruption in Life Mission. The CBI clarified that this was bribery itself. Moreover, funds have been misappropriated, the CBI said.
The CBI urged the court to summon the files related to the vigilance investigation. However, the court refused to do so at this stage. The HC asked how the FCRA violation charge was legally valid. The court also sought more details in this regard.
Parties in the case, including Santhosh Eappen, had demanded a stay on the CBI probe. However, the HC refused this and said it would not pronounce an interim order at this stage. The HC will consider petitions filed by Santhosh Eappen and Life Mission CEO U. V. Jose, in connection with the housing project, on Thursday.
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