Has the Kerala HC Granted Arrest Relief to ED Official in Vigilance Case?

Kochi, June 17 (NationPress) Just six days after the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) requested additional time from the Kerala High Court to address the anticipatory bail application of Enforcement Directorate’s Assistant Director, Sekhar Kumar, the state again requested a two-week extension to submit their comprehensive investigation report.

Consequently, the court has rescheduled the case for further proceedings on July 3rd and instructed the VACB not to apprehend the official until that date.

However, the court mandated Sekhar Kumar to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

On Tuesday, the state expressed its intention to submit a detailed rebuttal against the bail.

The Director General of Prosecution, representing the state, informed the court that they require a scientific analysis of the data retrieved from the devices of three other accused parties before submitting their statement.

Sekhar Kumar is identified as the primary accused in a notable corruption investigation initiated by VACB last month.

This case has already led to the apprehension of three individuals: chartered accountant Ranjith Warrier, alleged intermediary Wilson, and Mukesh Jain, who originally hails from Rajasthan but has established residence in Kochi.

The case sprang from a complaint by a businessman from Kollam, involved in cashew exports to Africa, who reportedly faced significant financial losses during the Covid-19 pandemic after being swindled by a foreign client.

During an inquiry by the ED, this businessman received a summons.

At this juncture, Wilson allegedly approached the businessman, asserting that he possessed influential connections within the ED and could assist in “settling” the matter.

He insisted on a payment of Rs 2 crore in four installments to halt the ED investigation.

When the businessman received a subsequent ED summons shortly thereafter, as predicted by Wilson, he became suspicious and alerted the VACB.

As part of a plan to gather evidence, the businessman transferred Rs 2 lakh in cash and conducted a bank transaction, enabling the VACB to trace the funds.

Wilson was apprehended in the act of accepting the cash.

His arrest prompted the subsequent detention of Jain and Warrier. All three have since been released on bail. Sekhar Kumar, who has sought anticipatory bail from the High Court, maintains that he has no ties to the alleged corruption or the apprehended individuals.

He asserted that he has committed no wrongdoing, fears arrest, and is prepared to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.