THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started an investigation regarding a possible scam where the gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh and group managed to get a commission worth crores from Rs 20 crores given by Emirates Red Crescent towards rebuilding Kerala. The ED has asked the Life Mission CEO to forward all government documents and the agreement signed with the Red Crescent.

Keralakaumudi on August 15 reported that ED will probe the commission scam which took place under the cover of an agreement between the UAE government's Red Crescent and the Kerala government to build an apartment under Life Mission Scheme in Vadakkancherry. Anil Akkara MLA didn't hand over the copy of the agreement to the opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala after he requested the same through RTI. But as ED asked for the document, it should be handed over.

Owner of the Unitac company, a firm that undertook the construction contract, told the NIA that a commission of Rs 1 crore was paid. According to Swapna, the money seized from two of her bank lockers in Thiruvananthapuram is the same. But ED says the commission amount will be at least Rs 4 crores.

In 2018, a panel presided by the chief secretary gave nod to the plan in Vadakkancherry for Rs 13.5 crores. However, later this amount rose to Rs 20 crores. The ED will also probe the mystery behind this.

Sandeep Nair, another accused in the gold smuggling case, is also involved in the Vadakkancherry apartment scam. Yadu, a Thiruvananthapuram native, revealed that Sandeep paid him Rs 3 lakhs in commission. This money was given from the commission money Sandeep got. Yadu said that he introduced Sandeep to Unitac owner Santhosh Eapen and has gone two times to UAE consulate with the representatives from Unitac.