Kerala High Court: In the Karuvannur Bank Scam, the Single Judge Bench of D. K. Singh, J. directed the Investigating Officer to investigate the role of all the accused who had been named by the Enforcement Directorate in the ECIR filed by them. The Court also warned the Investigating Officer against coming under any pressure from political or bureaucratic quarters and emphasised that he was expected to conduct the investigation in a fair and unbiased manner.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, the Investigating Officer, submitted that the final report had been submitted in court that day. He further submitted that the investigation was progressing at a rapid pace and that the final reports in respect of the other nineteen crimes registered in connection with the financial fraud committed in the Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank scam would be submitted within a period of three months.
The Court directed the Investigating Officer to investigate the role of all the accused who had been named by the Enforcement Directorate in the ECIR filed by them. It was further suggested that the Investigating Officer collect the affidavit and a copy of the ECIR from the counsel representing the Enforcement Directorate.
The Court warned the Investigating Officer against coming under any pressure from political or bureaucratic quarters and emphasised that he was expected to conduct the investigation in a fair and unbiased manner.
The Court observed that, if it was found that the investigation had not been conducted properly or that the involvement of political activists had not been fairly examined, the Investigating Officer would be held personally accountable for his dereliction of duty. The Court expressed its hope and trust that the Investigating Officer had carried out the investigation in a proper and fair manner, as was expected of an officer of the police force.
The matter was posted for further hearing on 02-07-2025, and the Court directed that the Investigating Officer shall remain present on the said date.
[Suresh MV v. State of Kerala, WP(C) NO. 15762 OF 2021, decided on 11-04-2025]
