NEW DELHI: The ED stated in the Supreme Court that the demand to shift the trial in the gold smuggling case to Bengaluru is for a fair trial and Swapna's secret statement justifies this. This is in response to the state government's affidavit not to move the trial outside the state.

“Changing the trial is not an insult to the state judiciary. The independence of the judiciary is not being questioned. The aim is a fair trial. Certain cases cited by the state is not a hindrance to the plea for shift in trial. TOur demand is valid as it is a case involving the top officials of the government. The government has misused its power and is trying to subvert the case by concealing a lot of information,” alleged ED.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is appearing for the state government in the case, will receive a fee of Rs 15.5 lakh per sitting. While there are people including the state attorney to appear for Kerala, Sibal is being called by spending lakhs from the exchequer.