KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the detention order under Cofeposa against T K Fayaz, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice Babu Mathew P Joseph passed the order while dismissing the petition filed by T K Fardan, brother of the accused, challenging the detention order.During 2013, Fayaz entered into a criminal conspiracy at Kochi and other places to smuggle gold to India from Gulf countries. Faiz sent 20 kg of gold through his carriers Arifa Haris, and Asifa Veerappoyil along with Harris and they arrived by Emirates International flight at Nedumbassery airport.
Additional Director General of Prosecutions Tom Jose Padinjarekkara submitted that the detention order against Fayaz, under Cofeposa, was issued on the basis of all the documents connected with the case.
The detaining authority had examined the statements submitted by other accused persons, Asifa, Arifa and Haris Abdul Rahman, and other witnesses in the case. Arifa and Asifa, from whom gold bars were seized, had identified Fayaz as the person who arranged the gold from abroad for smuggling into India, the state said.