Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) indicated that a long list of black money cases will be brought to light in Kerala shortly.
The ED has started preparing a special panel consisting of experienced lawyers in view of the increasing number of cases. The number of bribery cases registered by the Vigilance and Police also has risen.
The ED can register separate cases in these issues and investigate into it. As the CBI has to seek prior permission from the state government to register a case, the centre is strengthening the ED investigations in Kerala.
It is notable that the action was taken shortly after Manish Godara took charge as new joint director in Kochi office of the ED. The central government appointed Manish Godara from Ahmedabad after having issues with the Kerala government.
The Principal Sessions Courts in Ernakulam and Kozhikode are the special courts which handle black money cases. The panel of special public prosecutors are being prepared for these courts.
The ED informed the high court lawyers association that they are looking for lawyers with at least 7 years of experience. They are planning to prepare special panels with at least 10 lawyers.
After initiating probe into the gold smuggling case, the ED has started receiving more confidential information regarding black money deals.
