Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated proceedings to seize all the assets of Kerala bureaucrat M Sivasankar who has been booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) filed in connection with his shady activities as part of the diplomatic gold smuggling racket.
So far, the central agency has only confiscated the money and gold that were found in the bank locker that was in the joint names of Sivasankar's chartered accountant and Swapna Suresh, one of the main accused in the gold smuggling case.
The ED now plans to seize the assets in Sivasankar’s name and those that he is believed to have acquired through the crime. These will be returned if it is later proved that they were not acquired through crime. Else, they will remain with the government.
Partial charge sheet
Under the PMLA case the ED will file a partial charge sheet against Sivasankar in court on December 24. This is being done to prevent the possibility of Sivasankar being granted a natural bail as is mandated by the law.
The IAS officer will be allowed natural bail after 60 days in custody if no charges are filed against him by then.
Although a provision under Section 45 of the PMLA states natural bail cannot be granted, some high courts have raised legal objections in this regard. That is why the ED is trying to block any move by Sivasankar for natural bail, by filing a partial charge sheet.
It is trying to ensure Sivasankar is not released soon because it is yet to secure crucial information pertaining to the case.
Raveendran’s questioning to continue
Chief minister’s additional private secretary CM Raveendran will be questioned for a few more days. In a likely bid to speed up the interrogation, the ED ensures that as soon he replies to questions, another team immediately examines the veracity of his statements.
