Enforcement Directorate Agrees Before Kerala High Court To Trace Financial Trail Of Fake Antiquities Scam

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that it will look into the financial trail of the alleged scam plotted by fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal.  

Justice Devan Ramachandran allowed impleadment of the Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate as an additional respondent in the petition. 

Central Government Counsel Jaishankar Nair appeared for ED and submitted an ECIR has been registered in the matter and that investigation has already begun. 

In a week's time, he assured to place on record the details on the ongoing probe as well.

Last week, the Court had allowed ED's impleadment in the matter. "I am only concerned about the investigation being proper. There cannot be a cover-up. So the investigation has to be conducted on several angles of the case with the assistance of different agencies," it had said.

Today, it was submitted that the ED would ascertain the funding agency of the scam. However, the counsel added that if the dealer or anyone in collaboration has committed any offences therein, the CBI will have to step in.

He submitted that he will obtain specific instructions in this regard from the competent authorities by the next posting date.  

The matter was accordingly posted to 1st December. 

The Court also expressed its concern of how the conman was set free despite there being suspicions around him:

"The man was allowed to run amuck. The dates are very worrying to me because they suggest that soon after an intelligence report was sought regarding him, he was granted police protection and the report took another 6 months." 

The Judge also enquired regarding the involvement of the expatriate lady mentioned in the investigation records in the said scam.

The Bench also wondered if the Kerala police can investigate crimes committed outside India since the investigation reports also disclosed that the dealer had travelled abroad on several occasions.

'Took The Entire System For A Ride, Has Alleged Links With Expatriate Associations': Kerala High Court In Controversial Antique Dealer's Case

Mavunkal's former driver had approached the Court alleging that after he made disclosures before the police against the dealer, certain senior police officers were subjecting him to harassment.

Advocate Thomas T Varghese appeared for the petitioner today and sought time to file an affidavit in the matter. Noting that the counsel has been submitting the same since the last few hearings, the Court warned him not to 'kindle its curiosity'.

Case Title: Ajith E.V. v. The Commissioner of Police & Ors.