[Breaking] Kerala HC Directs Customs Not To Arrest M.Sivasankar Till Oct.23 In The Gold Smuggling Case

The Kerala High Court has directed the Customs Department not to arrest the former Principal Secretary to Kerala Chief Minister, M. Sivasankar IAS, till October 23, on which day, it will consider his anticipatory bail applications in cases registered by the Customs Department as well as that by the Enforcement Directorate.

Justice Ashok Menon, who heard the plea, also directed the Customs to file a counter affidavit in this case.

M Sivasankar IAS, had today moved a petition seeking anticipatory bail in the case registered by the Customs in relation to the gold smuggling case. He is at present admitted for treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.  Earlier, the High Court had granted him interim protection from arrest till October 23 in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Justice Ashok Menon took up the case at 1:45pm today through vide conference. Senior Advocate P. Vijayabhanu, who appeared for the former Principal Secretary, submitted that he is willing to appear before any investigating authority and has also done so in the past. 600 hours of travelling for the purpose of investigation has taken a toll on the health of M. Sivasankar, the Senior Advocate said.

Senior Advocate K. Ramakumar, who appeared for the Customs, opposed this plea and sought time to get instructions in the matter. He is playing politics, the Senior Counsel said.