KOCHI: A setback for M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to the chief minister. The Kerala High Court Wednesday rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the gold smuggling case. He filed the plea seeking anticipatory bail in the cases registered by the customs and the enforcement. The court did not initially accept his arguments. Justice Ashok Menon accepted central agencies' contention that influential Sivasankar could destroy evidence if granted anticipatory bail.

The court said there is no obstruction in arresting him. The enforcement’s argument is that Sivasankar had an active role in the conspiracy in gold smuggling and he misused his top post in the office of the chief minister for it. The customs had also informed the high court that the anticipatory bail plea was not legally binding. The ED had told the court that he may have to be questioned in custody for not cooperating with the interrogation.

The court deserted him at a crucial phase in the case. The hospital doctors said that he needs treatment for one more week.

Sivasankar is likely to approach the Supreme Court against the high court verdict. The customs produced his whatsapp chats with the chartered account as main evidence for his role. Following the rejection of his bail plea, there are no hurdles for the ED and Customs to take him into custody. The ED and the customs may issue summons to the officer soon.