Kerala gold smuggling: HC rejects bail plea of M Sivasankar, ED takes custody

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (October 28) rejected the anticipatory bail plea of suspended IAS officer and former secretary of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan M Sivasankar, in connection with the gold smuggling case.

Sivasankar was detained by the Enforcement Directorate soon after his bail plea was rejected.

Related news: NIA suspects Dawood link in Kerala gold smuggling case

The Customs department and Enforcement Directorate that are probing the case urged the court not to grant bail to Sivasankar who they said was aware of smuggling activities of Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the case.

The high court gave the order on two separate anticipatory bail pleas filed by the former IAS officer fearing arrest.

Sivasankar’s name cropped up soon after the Customs on July 5 seized 30 kg of gold in diplomatic baggage addressed to the UAE consulate.

While P Sarith Kumar, a former public relations officer of the consulate, who had received the luggage was arrested, the department arrested prime accused Swapna Suresh and Sandip Nair from Bangalore later. Sivasankar was suspended after probe revealed his link with Swapna.

Related news: Kerala gold smuggling: ED wants Sivasankar further probed