I was offered bribe of Rs. 25 lakh, says HC Judge

Kochi: A judge of the Kerala High Court on Monday said he was offered money to influence his judgement in a smuggling case.

Justice K.T. Shankaran said the bribe offer was made in return for a favourable judgement for those accused in gold smuggling here.

He said he was told he would get Rs.25 lakh before the judgement and the rest of the money later. Shankaran then announced he was withdrawing from the case.

The racket was busted in May last year after the Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch (SIIB) of Customs seized 13 kg gold hidden under the seats of a bus ferrying passengers from the aircraft to the terminal.