Rahilla, fourth accused in Karipur gold-smuggling case, has filed a petition for giving a secret statement before the Ernakulam Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (Economic Offences).
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) also recorded the statement of actor Edavela Babu on Monday. As per the petition filed by Rahilla, she wants to reveal some of the matter related to the case to the magistrate confidentially. According to her, she was just a carrier and is ready to reveal some of the matters to the magistrate which she fears to depose before the investigation agency.
She said she was trapped by other accused in the case. Following this, N V Raju, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences), summoned DRI counsel. DRI counsel said recently several accused have approached court to give secret statements and a decision regarding has to be taken after considering the gravity of the incident.
The court adjourned Rahilla’s petition for further hearing and giving order to Tuesday.Meanwhile, actor Edavela Babu went to the DRI office in Kochi on Monday after he was summoned by the investigation agency.
According to DRI officials, he was quizzed over his connection with Nabeel. He admitted that he had visited Nabeel’s flat on a few occasions as they planned to bring out a Malayalam movie. Nabeel had got to know him after a programme in Dubai. He also admitted that he never knew that Nabeel was part of a gold-smuggling racket. DRI officials said Edavala Babu would not be included as an accused in the case. Despite attempts to contact, Edavala Babu was unavailable for comments.
On Tuesday, they will record the statement of an assistant director who frequently visited Nabeel’s flat.The DRI would soon be initiating procedures to impose the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act against the accused in the case. DRI officials said such procedure would be initiated in the second phase of the case. The DRI have also started the procedure to locate Nabeel along with Shabas and Abdul Layis, who are suspected to be hiding in Dubai. Once located, the DRI would take steps to bring them here.