Exoneration from charges in departmental proceedings is not a reason for exemption from criminal proceedings, observed the Kerala High Court while upholding an order by the Additional Special Court, Ernakulam, dismissing the discharge petitions filed by the accused in the 2013 gold smuggling case.
Published - September 10, 2026 06:00 am ISTJustice A. Badharudeen directed the special court to proceed with the trial without delay and finalise the case within six months, holding that there was prima facie material available against the accused in the case.
The petitioners contended that there was no evidence connecting them to the alleged crime, and that they had been given a clean chit during the departmental inquiry.
It was alleged before the special court that the first accused, C. Madhavan, while working at the Air Cargo Complex and holding additional charge of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs, used his official authority to conspire with the other accused and smuggle gold into India through the Cochin International Airport.