A day after Kerala HC judge KT Sankaran alleged that he was offered a bribe by a relative of one of the accused in the Nedumbassery gold smuggling case, the special cell of Vigilance and ACB in Kochi has launched a preliminary inquiry.

Times of India reported:

An association of lawyers, meanwhile, sought initiation of criminal contempt of court action against the accused. Vigilance cell officers said the inquiry was being conducted based on media reports. 

“This fact of attempted bribery, endeavouring to penetrate into the highest seats of judiciary, is distressing and convulses the conscience of the entire legal fraternity," TOI quoted the petition of state committee of Indian Association of Lawyers (IAL) as saying.

Sankaran on Monday alleged that he was approached through a telephone call to disallow preventive custody of the accused and was offered the bribe. The accused, in their plea, had sought exemption from charges under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA).

Read: Kerala HC judge says he was offered bribe in Nedumbassery gold smuggling case

Yasir Ignu Muhammed and P A Noushad (both natives of Muvattupuzha), emigration officer Jabin K Basheer, Shinoy, Bibin Scaria and Salim are accused in the case, pertaining to the smuggling of Rs 400 crore worth of gold through the Kochi Airport, from 2013 to 2015.

Sankaran has said that the bribe was made on behalf of Yasir.