PS Sarith, Swapna Suresh | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Swapna Suresh and PS Sarith, accused in the gold smuggling case, in connection with the Life Mission case. Another co-accused Sandeep Nair was quizzed three days back.
Apparently, the ED summoned Swapna in order to get clarity regarding her earlier revelations claiming that she had received Rs 6 crore, rather than Rs 3 crore, as bribe.
As of now, the ED has only made Santhosh Eappen, the owner of Unitac Builders, an accused in the Life Mission case. However, interrogation began only after one year since the registration of the case.
It is learnt that Santhosh Eappen was questioned in the last week of December 2022 and the first week of January 2023. Meanwhile, Eappen revealed that he is unaware of the truth behind the allegation concerning Rs 6 crore bribe.
The Life Mission case involves the alleged violation of foreign contributions regulations in the Kerala government's flagship Life Mission project.
Earlier, officials including Life Mission CEO UV Jose were interrogated in connection with the case. In the charge sheet, the customs had also named M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to the chief minister, as the sixth accused in the case.
As per reports, a total of Rs 18.50 crore was raised for the Life Mission project. But only Rs 14.50 crore was utilised for the construction of the apartments. It is alleged that the rest of the amount was distributed as bribe money among the officials.
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