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3h ago

ED Moves Kerala High Court for Sabarimala SIT Records to Start Money-Laundering Probe

The agency says a magistrate’s refusal to share FIR materials blocks its mandate under the PMLA.

The agency said that as the sole authority to investigate money laundering activities, it was duty-bound to initiate an inquiry under the PMLA to trace, identify, and attach the proceeds of crime arising from the alleged offences.

Overview

  • The petition challenges an October 17 order by the Ranni magistrate that denied certified FIR and FIS copies because the Kerala High Court is monitoring the criminal investigation.
  • The High Court has listed the ED plea for admission on Monday, November 17, while former Travancore Devaswom Board secretary S Jayashree’s anticipatory bail application is slated for Tuesday.
  • In its filing, the ED says information indicates diversion of temple assets and conversion of proceeds for personal gain, qualifying as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
  • The agency argues there is no prohibition on a parallel probe under a special law and seeks certified records to enable tracing, identification, and attachment of suspected proceeds.
  • The ED cites scheduled offences including alleged forgery and corruption, invokes Section 528 of the BNSS, and contends an FIR is a public document under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.