The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail on medical grounds to M Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, who was arrested in connection with LIFE Mission corruption case.
Advocate Zoheb Hussain appearing for the Enforcement Directorate today told the court that the illness can be treated from jail as well. However, the advocate appearing for Sivasankar told the court that they are also pressing the case on merits.
The court granted medical bail on the basis of perused medical reports. However, it clarified that the order was passed only on medical grounds without getting into merits of the case.
The top court on Tuesday (January 9) had extended the interim bail granted earlier to Sivasankar.
Sivasankar had moved the top court after the Kerala High Court denied him bail on April 2023. The high court denied him bail on grounds that he may tamper with evidence as he had influence with the ruling party and the Kerala CM.
In August 2023, the Supreme Court Bench had granted him interim bail on medical grounds for 2 months.
Sivasankar submitted in the court that he had been advised spine surgery and would also require post operative treatment. Since, then the interim relief has been extended four times in September, November, and December last year and on January 8 this year.
Sivasankar was arrested on February 2023, in connection with the alleged violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Sivasankar has been accused money laundering and receiving kickbacks from that Unitac builders in Life Mission project.
The construction contract for Life Mission project was given to Unitac Builders and Sane Ventures. Life Mission is a flagship housing project of the Kerala government. It has been alleged that the Unitac Builders gave kickbacks to Consul General of the UAE and Sivasankar to get the contract.