New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted bail on medical grounds to M Sivasankar, the former private secretary of Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, in the Life Mission case. 

The apex court earlier granted Sivasankar an interim bail after considering his health issues. However, he moved to the Supreme Court on Thursday demanding permanent bail by citing his deteriorating health conditions. 

Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier charged Sivasankar for black money transactions, smuggling foreign currency notes and accepting bribes in the Life Mission case. Besides, CBI had charged the IAS officer under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act in the case related to the Life Mission project. He had received bail in all other cases. NIA has not charged the officer in its case related to the gold smuggling.

The LIFE (Livelihood Inclusion Financial Empowerment) Mission money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR and a Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) complaint of the Kerala government against Unitac Builders and Developers Private Limited and Sane Ventures LLP for "suspected pecuniary advantage obtained by some persons from Life Mission Project and illegal gratification received by various persons including some public servants." 

According to a copy of the medical report obtained by Mathrubhumi News, Sivasankar has a degenerative spine condition that requires immediate medical attention. The medical board also recommended painkillers, physiotherapy, and using back & neck braces for pain relief. The report also says that the patient should avoid physical activity such as lifting weights and standing for a lengthy period of time. Furthermore, surgery is recommended if necessary. 

On December 8, 2023, the apex court had asked the retired bureaucrat to undergo a medical examination at Pondicherry’s JIPMER after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) demanded that Sivasankar be examined in any government hospital outside Kerala.

The anti-money laundering agency had opposed the extension of interim bail on medical grounds saying that Sivasankar's application is based on certifications issued by private hospitals.

In August last year, the Supreme Court ordered the release of the applicant on interim bail after his counsel pointed out that Sivasankar had serious health issues and needed expert treatment.