KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday prevented the arrest of IG Lakhsmana in the antique fraud case. The court has stayed the arrest of Lakshmana till next Thursday. Earlier, the single bench had ruled that the crime branch should give advance notice for questioning Lakshmana and that he should be released on interim bail in case of arrest.

However, the government filed a sub-petition in the High Court stating that IG Guguloth Lakshman, the fourth accused in the case, violated the court order by not appearing for questioning despite receiving the notice. Meanwhile, it is indicated that Lakshmana may appear for questioning on Wednesday.