In a key development in the Kerala gold smuggling case, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to four accused individuals following a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking to shift the trial from Kerala to Karnataka.
The central agency cited apprehensions about the fairness and neutrality of proceedings in the state.
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal heard the matter and granted six weeks’ time for the accused to respond. The court listed the case for further hearing in July, following the summer vacation.
ED Flags Concerns Over Local Influence
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, argued that the transfer was necessary due to possible local influence and pressure that could compromise the integrity of the ongoing trial.
He informed the court that the ED intends to make the other accused in the case parties to the petition, as required under legal procedure when seeking a transfer of trial.
“The nature of the case and the environment in which it is being heard raises serious questions about impartiality,” Raju told the court. He stressed that shifting the trial to a neutral location such as Karnataka would protect the sanctity of the judicial process.
Background
The gold smuggling case came to public attention in July 2020 after customs officials seized 30 kilograms of gold hidden in diplomatic baggage at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The consignment, reportedly addressed to the UAE consulate, exposed a well-organized smuggling racket with alleged political and bureaucratic links.
The Enforcement Directorate launched its own probe into the money laundering angle of the case. It found that proceeds from the gold smuggling operation were allegedly funneled through informal hawala networks, raising suspicions about the funding of illicit activities.
Several individuals have been arrested in the case, including former consulate staff, middlemen, and others believed to be connected to influential figures in the state.
Political Ramifications and Legal Tensions
The scandal triggered political turmoil in Kerala, with the opposition demanding resignations and accusing the ruling party of shielding those involved. The ED’s move to shift the case outside the state has added a new dimension to the already tense legal and political environment.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court will weigh the ED’s concerns carefully, especially given the constitutional right of the accused to be tried in the jurisdiction where the alleged crime occurred.
“Transfers of criminal trials are not taken lightly. The petitioner must show that justice would be seriously compromised if the trial remains where it is,” said senior criminal lawyer Meera Nair.
Next Hearing
The Supreme Court will resume hearing the case in July, by which time all accused parties are expected to file their responses. The outcome of this petition could set a precedent for similar high-stakes trials, where central agencies seek relocation of proceedings citing fairness and security concerns.
Until then, the Kerala gold smuggling case continues to remain under national spotlight, not only for its criminal magnitude but also for its far-reaching political and legal implications.
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