The Customs Department on Monday approached the Kerala High Court challenging an order issued by the Principal Sessions Court in Ernakulam, which granted bail to T K Fayaz, who is an accused in the Nedumbassery gold smuggling case.
The department submitted that several suspects have refused to co-operate with the investigation and many accused are still at large. Fayaz is a very influential person and if released at this stage he will tamper with the evidence and manipulate the other accused. Telephone records of Fayaz and other accused persons in the case are still under scrutiny for unearthing the full extent of the crime. Customs Department also submitted that the High Court had dismissed an application filed by Fayaz in another case, which is being investigated by the CBI. The Court had accepted the contentions of the CBI that the economic security of the state is at stake and other accused are yet to be located.
According to Customs officials, the trial Court failed to consider the fact that Fayaz had cleverly manipulated the department personnel for wrongful gains. One of the main accomplice in the case is the still-absconding Faizal, who is Fayaz’s brother. Ashraf, who is the ‘owner’ of the gold, is also missing and Abdulla, the husband of Arifa, is still to be arrested.