Kerala HC rejects plea to vacate stay on CBI probe against Life Mission CEO

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea filed by the CBI to vacate its interim order staying investigation against the CEO of LIFE Mission, a state housing project, over alleged FCRA violations in respect of funds received for building dwelling units in Thrissur district.

Dismissing the petition, the court said the plea of the CBI can be considered after the counter affidavit to the LIFE Mission's plea, challenging the registration of FIR by the central agency against its unknown officials, is filed.

The counsel for LIFE Mission opposed the CBI plea for early posting of the case for hearing and its disposal, pointing out that the investigation agency has not filed its counter affidavit.In its plea filed on Thursday, the agency has submitted that the order creates a serious roadblock to the investigation of the case in connection with alleged receipt of funds from a foreign sponsor for construction of dwelling units in Thrissur district.

The CBI said because of the stay order the agency is unable to collect the files of the LIFE Mission and also from the state government relating to the case.In its order issued on October 13, the single bench of the high court had granted the interim stay on a plea by Life Mission CEO U V Jose, challenging the registration of the FIR by the central agency against unknown officials of Life Mission.

The Court, however, had allowed the CBI to continue its probe initiated against the Managing Director of Unitac, a private firm which has been awarded the contract for construction of the houses in Wadakkanchery Municipality.In the petition, the CBI has stated that it was also unable to summon and question officials, government servants and people acquainted with the facts of the case and therefore the stay order causes serious roadblocks to the probe.

Besides the case is one that requires judicial settlement of important and seminal questions of importance.The CBI is ready and willing to address arguments as soon as possible. The subject matter of the case is relating to the interests of the state, the agency had said in the petition.

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint by Congress MLA Anil Akkara alleging violation of the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in acceptance of funds from a UAE aid agency for executing the housing project for the poor.Akkara, in his complaint contended that acceptance of funds by Unitac Builders and Developers and Sane Ventures LLP from Red Crescent, the UAE-based aid agency, with the "concurrence" of the LIFE Mission, a Kerala government agency, was illegal and in violation of FCRA provisions.

An FIR was registered by the CBI, for offences under Indian Penal Code Section 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) read with Section 3 of the FCRA against Unitac Builders and Developers Managing Director Santosh Eappen, Sane Ventures LLP and unknown officials of the LIFE Mission Kerala and others. 

(IMAGE CREDITS:PTI)