Kerala: VACB takes judge's statement in bribe offer

Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Monday recorded the statement of Justice K.T. Sankaran in connection with the revelation made by the judge that smugglers had offered a bribe of Rs 25 lakh for a favourable verdict. VACB special cell SP, Ernakulam, P.V. Sasidharan recorded the statement of the judge.

The VACB had sought the permission to officially take a statement from the judge the other day and acting Chief Justice granted permission to the officers. The officials had earlier taken  the statements of government pleader Shyamkumar and   lawyers John Varghese and Nireesh Mathew, who were present when Justice Sankaran made the stunning revelation.

Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas asked the SP special cell to look into the matter after the judge made the revelation. A division bench comprising Justice K T Sankaran and Justice A. Hariprasad also recused themselves from hearing the petitions challenging the preventive detention order issued against the accused persons in the gold smuggling case under the COFEPOSA.

The case pertains to the smuggling of 2,000 kg of gold through Cochin International Airport with the help of airport staff, including an ex-immigration officer. The judge orally observed that he had received a phone call offering Rs 25 lakh or above if there is an order in favour of an accused.

In its order,  the bench observed  “quite unfortunately, we are not in a position to hear the cases for reasons beyond our control and for reasons which do not manifest a healthy state of affairs.  One of us (Justice K.T. Sankaran) is not in a position to hear these cases due to certain subsequent   unfortunate events. Therefore, these cases are avoided by Justice Sankaran.”