[Kerala LIFE Mission] Kerala HC has extended stay on probe against functionaries of the Kerala LIFE Mission for supposed foreign currency regulation law violations.
LIFE Mission is a flagship programme of the Kerala government to build homes for the homeless.
@CMOKerala
LIFE Mission is a flagship programme of the Kerala government to build homes for the homeless.
@CMOKerala
The Kerala High Court heard the matter today.
The proceedings arose out of an FIR filed by the CBI alleging FCRA violations against building contractors Unitac and Sane Ventures, along with 'unnamed officials of the LIFE Mission Project'.
The stay will continue till Monday.
The proceedings arose out of an FIR filed by the CBI alleging FCRA violations against building contractors Unitac and Sane Ventures, along with 'unnamed officials of the LIFE Mission Project'.
The stay will continue till Monday.
The CBI has alleged that the State Government obtained funds from the Red Crescent, United Arab Emirates, which were transferred to Unitac Builders and Sane Constructions, in violation of FCRA norms.
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Today, LIFE Mission's Counsel Senior Adv KV Vishwanathan urged the Court that the project and contributions received were outside the purview of the FCRA since contracts were between Red Crescent & building contractors.
He also added that the morale of officers could be sapped by the CBI's investigation.
The Senior Advocate therefore sought a quash on investigation as against LIFE Mission.
The Senior Advocate therefore sought a quash on investigation as against LIFE Mission.
Unitac CEO Santhosh Eappen's Counsel Adv Francis Mangalath challenged the proceedings as against him, stating that the sum he received under contract with UAE Consulate did not come under the purview of FCRA, since it was not prohibited under Section 3 of the Act.
Senior Adv Ramkumar for Union of India took issue with the fact that Eappen had expressed objection only to a CBI inquiry and not a state vigilance probe.
An accused could not choose his investigating agency, he argued.
An accused could not choose his investigating agency, he argued.
He also adverted to @CMOKerala's letter to @PMOIndia seeking a probe into gold smuggling and connected cases. LIFE Mission case is connected to gold smuggling, he averred.
Accused in the gold smuggling had received kickbacks to ensure the project was awarded to Unitac, he added
Accused in the gold smuggling had received kickbacks to ensure the project was awarded to Unitac, he added
CBI Counsel Sasthamangalam Ajithkumar stated that LIFE Mission officials had no locus standi to challenge the investigation since they were not named accused so far.
Insofar as Unitac was concerned he adopted Sr Adv Ramkumar's submisisons.
Insofar as Unitac was concerned he adopted Sr Adv Ramkumar's submisisons.
Two impleaders sought to interject. One was represented by Advocate V Sethunath and the other by Adv Mathews J Nedumpara.
Both CBI Counsel and Sr Adv KV Vishwanathan challenged the impleading petitions saying they had no scope in a quash proceeding.
Both CBI Counsel and Sr Adv KV Vishwanathan challenged the impleading petitions saying they had no scope in a quash proceeding.
While hearing has ended for the day, it is expected to resume on Monday.
Sr Adv Ramkumar for Centre: ... LIFE Mission has close links with the #keralagoldsmugglingcase, there are bribes to certain persons euphemistically called 'kickoffs'
Judge: Kickbacks!
Sr Adv KV Vishwananthan: My learned senior friend is a football fan!
Sr Adv Ramkumar laughs
Judge: Kickbacks!
Sr Adv KV Vishwananthan: My learned senior friend is a football fan!
Sr Adv Ramkumar laughs
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