The Kerala High Court has declined a request to initiate a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into bribery allegations against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer Shekhar Kumar. This decision arose from a petition filed by businessman Aneesh Babu, who claimed that Kumar demanded a bribe of ₹2 crore to resolve a money laundering case against him and his family.
In the case titled Aneesh Babu v The Secretary, Home Affairs and ors, Justice A Badharudeen reviewed a report from the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), which indicated that an active investigation was already underway. Consequently, the Court directed the VACB to complete its investigation within 90 days. The court also preserved Babu’s right to challenge the investigation’s outcome if he found it unsatisfactory.
“At this juncture, it is too premature for this Court to order an investigation of crime by the CBI. Therefore, such a prayer is rejected, and the investigating agency is directed to effectuate the investigation fruitfully and complete the same within a period of 90 days from the date of receipt of this order,” stated the Court, emphasizing the necessity for VACB to consider the allegations outlined in Exhibit P5 representation.
Justice Badharudeen further elaborated during the hearing that a transfer of the investigation to the CBI could only be justified by significant flaws in the current probe. Aneesh Babu, a businessman from Kollam, is implicated in a cashew import fraud and money laundering case. After his arrest in January 2026 by the ED, he secured bail in April 2026 from a special court in Ernakulam dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
Babu’s plea underscored that the ongoing investigation by VACB was subject to political and external influences, thus necessitating a transfer to the CBI. Advocates Liju V Stephen, Indu Susan Jacob, Jiji Joy, and Sanjay Johnson Mathew represented Babu, while Standing Counsel Jaishankar V Nair appeared for the ED. Special Government Pleader Sreelal Warriar represented the CBI.
A detailed order from the Court is awaited. The Kerala High Court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s cautious approach in transferring investigations, ensuring thorough and unbiased proceedings by the designated local agencies.
