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In a petition filed by the former driver of fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal, the Kerala High Court has allowed the petitioner to implead the Enforcement Directorate into the case. 

Stressing that the court is only concerned about the investigation being proper, Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran also opined that it seemed if law enforcement authorities are operating without appreciating the seriousness of the antiquities business.

Pointing out the graveness of issue, the court noted that with the knowledge of the police, Mavunkal had frequently been traveling abroad, even after the State Police Chief had received intelligence reports regarding his nefarious dealings.

Therefore, stressing that any kind of concealing cannot be allowed in the investigation into the case, the court said that the investigation has to be conducted from several angles of the case with the assistance of different agencies.

Court therefore directed the petitioner to implead the competent authorities from the Enforcement Directorate as a party to the case.

Earlier also, the Kerala High Court had come down heavily on the police authorities in the state while asking the Director-General of Police if the team under him could be trusted with the investigation. 

The court had to seek impleadment of the State Police Chief in the matter to conduct an elaborate probe into the grave allegations put forth it against some of the superior police officers and their alleged links with the bogus collector.

After a few news reports had surfaced alleging that Mavunkal had conned several people of over ₹10 crores through his antique scam, his former driver Ajith E.V, filed a protection plea before the Kerala High Court.

He had alleged that the controversial 'antique' dealer had threatened to implicate him in criminal cases and get him put behind bars after he had disclosed some information regarding Mavunkal's scam to the police.

Ajith had alleged that Mavunka and certain police officers close to him had been intimidating and harassing him. The court has granted him the protection earlier. 

This Writ Petition was filed on August 11, 2021, seeking police protection, but later on, the case acquired a new color when allegations against Police and Mavunkal came to light.  

The petitioner had alleged that the disclosures he made to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Alappuzha, were in connection with a cheating complaint made against Monson Mavunkal by Rajendran Pillai of Sreevalsam Group of Companies alleging that he cheated him of Rs 6 crore.

Soon after he gave his statement, Mavunkal came to know about it and called him up and threatened him with dire consequences, the petition has said. The petitioner has also alleged in his plea that Monson Mavunkal has made false representations about himself and his business to various persons and collected money from them.

Later, he informed the court that he has been receiving threats from police officials associated with Mavunkal and therefore, prayed for protection from such erring police officials as well.

Case Title: Ajith E.V Versus the Commissioner of Police