Kerala HC seeks Central view on CBI probe in sandalwood smuggling

Kochi, Jan 17 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the Union Government to take instructions on a petition, praying for a CBI probe into a 2005 case of large-scale smuggling of sandalwood from the Marayoor forest range in the State.

A Division Bench, comprising Justices J B Koshi and K Hema, issued the direction.

In his public interest litigation, one Gokul Prasad alleged that even though the State Government had issued a notification seeking a CBI investigation into the matter, the agency was not taking over the case and the Centre had not issued the neccesary notification.

He submitted that this was a case where a Minister had to resign due to adverse comments passed by the High Court, while considering the bail application of an accused in the case.

UNI XR ARC MSJ BST1807