CBI Files Chargesheet in Kerala Life Mission Scam, Names Six Accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a preliminary chargesheet in the Wadakkanchery Life Mission corruption case at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thrissur, Kerala. The chargesheet, filed earlier this month, names six individuals and entities accused of large-scale financial irregularities in the execution of the housing project.

Santhosh Eappen, managing partner of Unitac Builders, has been named as the first accused. His construction firm, Sane Ventures, is the second accused, and the Life Mission project itself is the third accused. Sandeep Nair, former UAE Consulate PRO P.S. Sarith, and Swapna Suresh are the fourth, fifth, and sixth accused respectively.

Notably, M. Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and former Life Mission CEO U.V. Jose have not been included in the preliminary chargesheet, though they were earlier arraigned as accused in the case. The CBI is expected to file a supplementary chargesheet based on additional evidence, including records from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

The alleged corruption pertains to the Life Mission housing project at Wadakkanchery, aimed at rehabilitating victims of the 2018 Kerala floods. The project was reportedly funded by ₹21 crore from the UAE Red Crescent, intended for constructing apartment complexes and a healthcare facility. The case was registered on a complaint by former Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara, alleging violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and corruption.

According to the CBI, the project was awarded to firms controlled by Eappen bypassing government norms and overlooking eligible empanelled agencies, including the Habitat Technology Group. The accused allegedly conspired to siphon off ₹4.5 crore as commissions and kickbacks. Eappen is also accused of diverting an additional ₹5 crore as unlawful profit share, inflating the project cost significantly. The chargesheet states that only about ₹10 crore of the ₹21 crore was actually used for construction.

The alleged corruption stalled the project, reducing the number of housing units from the planned 203 to 140, depriving flood-affected beneficiaries of promised homes. A parallel investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is also underway.