Swapna, 5 others named accused in Kerala’s Wadakkanchery LIFE Mission case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a preliminary chargesheet in the controversial Wadakkanchery LIFE Mission corruption case, naming six individuals as accused in the probe. The chargesheet was filed with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kerala earlier this month. Among those named are Swapna Suresh, Sandeep Nair, P.S. Sarith, and three other entities linked to the project. The chargesheet alleges large-scale financial irregularities during the execution of the housing project aimed at rehabilitating flood victims in 2018. The accused include Santhosh Eappen, managing partner of Unitac Builders, whose company Sane Ventures is also listed as an accused party. The LIFE Mission project itself is cited as the third accused, indicating the involvement of the initiative in the alleged misconduct. Additionally, former UAE Consulate employees Sandeep Nair, P.S. Sarith, and Swapna Suresh are named as the fourth, fifth, and sixth accused, respectively. Notably, M. Sivasankar, the Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and U.V. Jose, the former CEO of the LIFE Mission, were omitted from the preliminary chargesheet despite their potential connection to the case. The CBI is expected to file a supplementary chargesheet once further evidence is received from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. This follow-up action comes after the investigation revealed that the project, which was funded with ₹21 crore from the UAE Red Crescent, suffered significant mismanagement. The funds were intended for constructing apartment complexes and a healthcare facility, yet the chargesheet indicates that only approximately ₹10 crore was actually used for construction. According to the chargesheet, the accused allegedly conspired to divert ₹4.5 crore from the project as commissions and kickbacks. Santhosh Eappen is further accused of channeling another ₹5 crore as unlawful profit share, leading to a substantial inflation of the project's costs. These actions not only undermined the integrity of the project but also led to its eventual stalling, depriving flood-affected residents of the promised housing. The number of residential units was reduced from the original plan of 203 to just 140 due to these discrepancies. The case was initiated following a complaint by former Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara, who alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and corruption. The CBI found that the project was awarded to firms controlled by Santhosh Eappen, bypassing standard government procurement procedures and allegedly ignoring the eligibility of established agencies such as the Habitat Technology Group. This procedural deviation raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the allocation of public resources. A separate investigation into the case is ongoing through the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is examining the matter independently. The case has become a major political issue for the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, highlighting the challenges faced in ensuring proper oversight of state-funded projects. The allegations against the accused have sparked discussions about the need for stricter regulatory frameworks and greater transparency in public works initiatives.