Kerala Gold Smuggling Case Involving 30 kg Gold Worth Rs 15 crore To Be Probed By NIA: MHA

The case involving the smuggling of 30 kg gold in Kerala will be taken over by the National Investigation Agency, the Union Home Ministry declared on July 9. Union Home Ministry said, “organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security.” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 8, seeking a thorough investigation into the seizure of over 30 kg gold at the International Airport, promising all possible support. Nod from the home ministry came amid a political firestorm in the state over the case reportedly involving Rs 15 crore worth of gold. Opposition in the state, the Congress and the BJP, have alleged the involvement of the Left Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office. Chief Minister Vijayan has denied that anyone from his office made to attempts to shield any suspect in the case. The gold, concealed in a diplomatic package linked to the United Arab Emirates consulate in the state, was detected by the Customs Department at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 4. UAE said it is investigating the case and "the culprits who sought to tarnish the reputation of the UAE mission in India will not be spared.” The consulate's former PRO, Sarith, has already been arrested and remanded for 14 days. The prime accused has been identified as Swapna Suresh who is reportedly close to Pinarayi Vijayan's former secretary M Sivasankar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2020 11:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).