THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to the chief minister, remanded in the Life Mission case, will be released today. The Supreme Court had yesterday granted interim bail under strict conditions.

He could not be released yesterday because the order granting him bail did not reach the Kakkanad Jail. Bail was granted for spine surgery and treatment for other health issues. The court considered the report of Ernakulam Medical College that surgery was necessary.

A division bench led by Justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh strictly directed that he should not leave the premises of his house and the hospital where he is being treated. The court also said that he should not influence any witnesses during this period.

Bail was granted on the 169th day after his arrest. The ED arrested M Sivasankar in the Life Mission case on February 14.