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Synopsis

The Supreme Court today questioned the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) interest in its plea to transfer trial into the Kerala Gold Smuggling case to Karnataka as it adjourned the case by 6 weeks.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti, upon a request for accommodation being made on behalf of ED, said, "Don't think you are interested really...either Mr Raju is not available, or some other difficulty is coming...".

Court was told that Additional Solicitor General SV Raju was not available. A similar request had been made by ED on an earlier occasion as well.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the State of Kerala, also expressed concern over repeated adjournments being sought.

Earlier, a bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SC Sharma while hearing the Enforcement Directorate's petition seeking to transfer trial in the Kerala gold smuggling case to Karnataka had questioned the central government over its powers to search diplomatic packages. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju asked the bench for some time to respond on the query posed by it.

The case involves the seizure of 30 kg gold that had reached the UAE consulate in the state capital of Thiruvanthapuram camouflaged as diplomatic consignment.

On a complaint by MLA and former Minister KT Jaleel., the Thiruvanthapuram cantonment police had registered a case against Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in a Gold smuggling case, on June 8, 2022.

The police had booked Suresh under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with an intent to cause riot) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy).

The Kerala Gold smuggling case pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels. It was in light after 30kg gold worth Rs. 14.82 crore was smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by the customs department in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, 2019.

Case Title: Directorate of Enforcement vs. Sarith PS & Ors