Ajit Karn
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) notified the Kerala High Court that the black money transaction in the Life Mission fraud case constitutes state-sponsored terrorism.
In addition, the Additional Solicitor General revealed that M Sivasankar, the former Principal Secretary of the Kerala CMO, is the mastermind behind this scheme.
ED disclosed the information during the hearing on M. Sivasankar’s parole petition in the LIFE Mission Scam Case. Unique Court of Justice A Badharudeen carefully examined the petition.
ED also informed the court that the money discovered in the compartment belonged to Sivasankar. In this regard, we have received statements from Chartered Accountants Venugopal and Swapna Suresh. (prime accused). The accused attempted to fund terrorism through the use of illicit funds. Sivasankar was the focal point of everything. Additional documents pertaining to the transaction must be seized. Even when he was previously apprehended, he was granted bail based on health concerns. The rationale for granting bail on the basis of illness is invalid.”
ED also stated that “petitioner collected this money, which constitutes bribe money; therefore, the Prevention of Corruption Act applies.” According to the case files, the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. According to the evidence provided by the respondent, money laundering offenses have far-reaching consequences. In addition, the petitioner has actively participated in all transactions. In this instance, 1,900 thousand dollars have also passed through diplomatic channels. Therefore, it has a transnational nature. Sivasankar is the mastermind who orchestrated the entire operation from the start. If released on bond, he could hinder the investigation.”
The court questioned whether the ED had previously arrested Sivasankar in relation to the money discovered in Swapna Suresh’s locker and how a second case was being pursued in relation to the same locker. As a result of their investigation into gold smuggling transactions, the ED was convinced of the LIFE Mission fraud case, according to their response. The court questioned whether the second allegation could not have been investigated in the initial case itself.
Considering the convenience of Sivasankar’s attorney, the continuation of the case’s argument has been postponed until tomorrow.
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On March 2, a Special PMLA Court in Kochi denied Sivasankar’s parole application and extended his detention until March 21. Sivasankar had filed the petition for medical release. He asserted that the detention was a “political stunt.”
