Gold Smuggling Attempt: Kerala High Court Grants Bail to Second Accused Arjun Ayanki

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted bail to the second accused in the gold smuggling attempt, Arjun Ayanki, with stringent conditions, one of them being to surrender his original passport.

Justice Shircy V allowed the bail plea in a matter where an attempt was made to smuggle gold through a carrier at the Karipur airport by a group of individuals. 

The applicant was the second accused in the matter and that the first accused was already released on bail. 

It was brought to the attention of the Court that nothing has been seized from the petitioner though the allegation is that he is the kingpin who made arrangements for smuggling of gold from abroad.

The Court noted that although there is no doubt that the nature of the accusation levelled against the petitioner as well the other accused are very grave and serious, considering that he has been in custody since 29.6.2021 and the investigating agency is still collecting materials to apprehend all the persons involved in the matter, bail was granted to him. 

Condemning the increasing number of gold smuggling cases in the State, the Court remarked as such:

"It is fact that so many persons are involved in the smuggling business which is a real threat as it creates instability and corrosive impact on the economy of our country. The illicit trade of gold is increasing day by day though the customs is vigilant and cases are being registered regularly; still the authorities could not curb the same totally due to various reasons."

Advocate Thoshin VS argued that although the applicant is eligible for bail arrested on 28th June this year, he should only be released with stringent conditions. 

The Court ruled that the applicant cannot leave the State without permission and restricted his entry to the Kannur district for another three months. 

The petitioner Arjun Ayanki, a CPM sympathiser, was arrested related to a probe into a failed attempt to smuggle in 2.3 kg of gold through Karipur airport by a carrier. He is the prime accused in the case. 

Earlier, a special court for economic offences had rejected the request of the Customs to extend Arjun Aayanki's custody period. Challenging this, the Customs Department moved the Court seeking his custody. 

On 21st June 2021, Customs officials had seized 2.3 kilograms of gold from one Mohammed Shafeeque Melethil from the Karipur airport.

On the very same day,  five youths were reported dead in a road accident in the Kozhikode district.

As per reports, the accident happened when the deceased was chasing another rival smuggling gang whom they thought had possessed the gold allegedly attempted to smuggle by Mohammed Shafeeque.

They were unaware that Mohammed Shafeeque was arrested. The Customs, in a statement submitted to the Additional Chief Justice Magistrate (Economic Offences) in Ernakulam, that Arjun Ayanki had links with Mohammed Shafeeque. The latter had given a statement that Arjun had been waiting for him outside the Karipur airport.

Case Title: Arjun Ayanki v Superintendent of Customs

Click Here To Read The Order