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Swapna Suresh | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate will face a major setback in the probe into the gold smuggling case. It is learnt that the replacement of investigation officer will affect the transfer of trial into the case.
P Radhakrishnan, ED deputy director who was heading the probe, was transferred to Chennai after ED moved a plea in the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the gold smuggling case to a court in Karnataka.
It is hinted that the Kerala government will use the investigation officer’s transfer as a major weapon to defend ED’s petition before the Supreme Court.
It is alleged that the investigation officer was transferred due to the political interventions of some officials who have close links with BJP central leadership.
Meanwhile, the BJP central leadership has received complaints against P Radhakrishnan over alleged attempts to subvert the case. The complaint pointed out that ED team is extending the probe without interrogating Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
A few months ago, accused Swapna Suresh made shocking revelations against the Chief Minister and his daughter Veena Vijayan over the case. ED was supposed to take action to examine these allegations. Amidst this, the probe officer was transferred to Chennai.
ED approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the gold smuggling case to Karnataka court after obtaining a copy of Swapna’s confidential statement. It is learnt the SC will consider ED’s plea soon.
The state government will not be able to oppose this plea in the apex court as it is not named as a party in the case. Meanwhile, M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to CM, moved a plea against ED’s petition seeking transfer of trial in the case. It is learnt that the government will oppose ED’s move with Sivasankar’s petition.
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