Kerala HC direction to Govt Counsel

Kochi, Feb 1 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the Central Government Counsel to take instructions on issuing of a notification for the CBI to probe the Marayoor Sandalwood smuggling case.

A division bench comprising Justices J B Koshy and K Hema passed the direction after the CBI submitted that it could not commence the investigation, as the neccesary notification had not been issued by the Central Government.

The case involves the smuggling of sandalwood from Marayoor to Valayar Rural Industries.

Then Forest Minister K P Vishwanathan had to resign, following adverse comments by the High Court, while considering the bail applications of the accused.

The State Government had already issued orders, asking the CBI to take over the investigation.

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