KOCHI: The state government on Monday informed the high court that the government land had not been handed over to anyone for the Life Mission project and that the agreement was to build houses for the homeless on that land. The government's explanation came while the court was considering a petition filed by Life Mission CEO UV Jose seeking quashing of CBI probe against him.

Earlier, the single bench had asked to explain that the transfer of government land to a third party as it felt that such a transfer of land on the basis of a memorandum of understanding with the UAE consulate was suspicious. Following this, advocate KV Vishwanathan, who appeared for the government, explained that the land was not handed over to anyone and permission was given for the construction of the building. The court also considered Unitac MD Santhosh Eapen's petition seeking quashing of the case and the CBI's petition seeking a vacation of the stay.