The CBI probe into the cases relating to human trafficking through the Nedumbassery airport should spare no police officials, irrespective of their rank, the Kerala High Court held on Monday.
“A thorough and meaningful probe is essential on all matters, more particularly over the infringement of national security involved in the case using fake and forged documents. The involvement of police officials, if any, whoever and whatever their rank be, in aiding and assisting the operations, has to be brought out by CBI”, Justice S S Satheesachandran ordered.
The Court passed the order while dismissing the bail plea of Raju Mathew, suspended sub-inspector at the immigration wing of the airport, who is an accused in the case. After examining the case diary and other documents, the court found that illicit human trafficking with the aid of some police officials in the emigration wing has been going on for quite some time.
The Crime Branch carried out the probe against some lower level police officials and some travel agents. The CBI should also look into whether any other person who is involved in anti-national activities with the aid of emigration officials and also travel agents using fake and forged passports and travel documents had been deported from any other airport in the state.
The state also handed over three other cases in which some women were trafficked and sexually exploited, all of which involve a nexus with human trafficking clandestinely carried out using forged documents. The Court held that the CBI investigation should not be confined to treating the crime registered as illegal trafficking of women.