SUNIL KUMAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are accused Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 7 in O.R. No.DRI/CoZU/TVM/06 of 2019 of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Thiruvananthapuram, registered for the offence punishable under Section 135 (1) of the Customs Act.

(2.) The prosecution allegation can be briefly stated thus: The first and the second accused landed in the International Air Port, Thiruvananthapuram, on 13.05.2019 at about 7.45 a.m. from Dubai. On getting prior information, the DRI officials made surveillance at the airport and accordingly, the first and the second accused were intercepted. In the search, the first accused was found in possession of 25 kg of gold and the second accused was found in possession of a declaration submitted by the second Bail Appl..Nos.4458, 4489, 4509, 4648 of 2019 accused at the Dubai Air Port stating that she was carrying 24 kg of gold. The first and the second accused were questioned and their statements were recorded. From the statements of the first and the second accused, the involvement of the seventh accused was revealed. From the statement of the second accused, the involvement of the third accused was revealed. The fourth accused was an employee of M/s PPM Chains, which used to collect the smuggled gold from the accused. M/s PPM Chains used to manufacture the gold ornaments and distribute the same to the jewellery shops.

(3.) The first and the second accused were arrested on 13.05.2019. The fourth accused was arrested on 21.05.2019. The seventh accused surrendered before the Investigating Officer on 31.05.2019 as directed by this Court.