LIFE Mission Scam: SC Adjourns M Sivasankar Bail Plea For Two Weeks

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the bail plea of M. Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to the Kerala Chief Minister, for two weeks.

Sivasankar is facing money-laundering charges in a corruption case linked to the State-powered ‘LIFE (Livelihood, Inclusion and Financial Empowerment) Mission’ housing project for the homeless.

A bench comprising Justice A. S. Bopanna and Justice MM Sundresh, deferred the case upon the request of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Enforcement Directorate. Mr. Mehta sought additional time to file a reply to Mr. Sivasankar’s plea, stating the need to verify certain facts and frame an appropriate response.

Mr. Jaideep Gupta, senior advocate for Mr. Sivasankar, mentioned his client’s poor health and requested an early hearing. However, Mr. Mehta informed the court that the accused had declined treatment at a government hospital.

In response, Mr. Gupta argued that the accused had the option to choose private medical care in a hospital of his preference. He cited past judgments by the Supreme Court, which upheld this right and submitted them on record. Eventually, the Bench agreed to list the case for hearing in the first week of August.

Previously, the Kerala High Court had rejected Mr. Sivasankar’s bail application, citing concerns about influencing witnesses.

In March 2021, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), handling the primary case, alleged in the Supreme Court that officials of Kerala government’s Life Mission project received kickbacks amounting to approximately ₹4.5 crore, colluding with their counterparts in the UAE Consulate General office.

The CBI further alleged that two companies, M/s Unitac and M/s Sane Ventures, illegally diverted funds from foreign contributions meant for building homes for flood victims in Wadakancherry on over two acres of land.