The Kerala High Court made it clear on Tuesday that it would not permit courts to be used as venues for political fights.
Considering a petition moved by Aam Aadmi Party state chief Vinod Mathew Wilson in the 2021 Kodakara black money heist, which allegedly involves Kerala BJP President K. Surendran, the court said: "Our concern is only this. The court shall not be made a venue for a political slugfest. We will not permit it. You may have various reasons but we will not allow that."
It also said the investigating agencies involved in the probe seem to be doing their job.
"State police has filed the chargesheet, the Income Tax Department is investigating the source of the funds, and the Enforcement Directorate is acting under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act). What more should be done?" the court asked.
The case pertains to the 2021 assembly polls, when in April of that year, a car travelling in Thrissur was looted and the driver filed a complaint that Rs 25 lakh, which was supposed to be payable to Dharmajan, was taken away.
The amount involved was later found to be more than Rs 3 crore.
According to Wilson, in course of the investigation into the heist, it was found that unaccounted money was brought from Karnataka to Kerala for use in the election campaign of BJP.
He also argued that the Enforcement Directorate had delayed its probe into the money laundering activities unearthed in the investigation by the police.
Wilson said despite his repeated representations to various national agencies on this topic, no action was taken and hence, he approached the High Court with the present PIL, seeking directions to the authorities concerned to consider and take action on the representations he has sent them.
On Tuesday, the ED informed the court that their probe has almost been completed and questioned the maintainability of the PIL. It was also argued that this petition is politically motivated at a time when the Lok Sabha polls are underway.
The court has not admitted Mr Wilson's petition, while the ED said they are ready to file their statement. Following this, the case was posted for May 10.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
BJP, With Kailash Gahlot At Fore, Launches 'Sheeshmahal' Protest Against AAP
Waving Black Flags At Chief Minister's Convoy Not Illegal, Defamatory: Kerala High Court In AAP's First List For Delhi Polls, 6 Of 11 Candidates Are Defectors BJP, With Kailash Gahlot At Fore, Launches 'Sheeshmahal' Protest Against AAP Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think 2 More Exit Polls Predict Landslide For NDA In Maharashtra "Have Right To Strike...": Putin's Veiled Warning To US, UK 47 Survivors Of 1984 Anti Sikh Riots Handed Out Job Letters JEE Main 2025 Jan Session Registration Closes On Nov 22, Check Key Details Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.