Kodakara Money Heist: Kerala High Court Grants Further Time For ED To Respond To Plea Alleging Inaction In The Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted further time to the Enforcement Directorate to file its statement in a plea seeking directions to the central agency to investigate the Kodakara black money case in which certain BJP leaders are allegedly involved.

A single bench of Justice K. Haripal posted the matter two weeks later after the ASG sought more time to file a statement.

Meanwhile, Advocate A.R. Nimod appearing for the petitioner submitted that the case was supposed to have been taken up on July 1st week. Opposing the extension of time granted to ED, he argued that three months had expired since the direction was issued by the Court.

However, ASG P. Vijayakumar submitted that he had requested comprehensive information on the matter and that an extensive statement will be filed within the given time.  

The bench was considering a writ petition filed by Saleem Madavur, who alleged that the ED was not taking any action despite an economic offence involving crores of money having been detected.

The heist case came to light after an incident of highway robbery on April 3 at Kodakara in Thrissur district three days ahead of the assembly poll. 

The police investigation of the money heist revealed that the money involved was approximately Rs 3.5 crores in cash, which was allegedly transported through hawala channels to fund the poll campaign.

A special investigation team was constituted to probe the case, which suspected the involvement of BJP leaders in the transaction. The SIT has questioned several district-level leaders and state general secretary M Ganeshan and state office secretary G Gireesan.

The Court had earlier sought the response of the Enforcement Directorate in the matter. Recently, five of the accused had been granted bail by the Court 

Case Title: Saleem Madavur v. Deputy Director