Kerala gold smuggling case: three main defendants were taken into custody until August 26. (File)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Three main defendants – Swapna Suresh, Sarith and Sandeep Nair – in the case of smuggling 30kg of gold from the United Arab Emirates to Kerala through diplomatic channels have been placed in judicial detention until August 26.
While claiming their custody in the Kerala gold smuggling case, the Law Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the court that Swapna earlier said she “was close to the former secretary of the Chief Minister of Kerala “. (The former) secretary was fully aware that her integrity is questionable, the CEO’s report told the court.
Mr Sivasankar was removed from the chief minister’s office and suspended from his duties as chief secretary amid allegations after the July 5 arrests.
According to the ED, which is investigating a money laundering case linked to the smuggling of gold, Mr. Sivasankar had traveled and met Ms. Swapna at least three times in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, including when the government of State was seeking Indian expatriate help for 2019. Kerala flood aid.
“Other proceeds of crime kept by A-2 (Swapna Suresh) in the bank record opened jointly with a third party in accordance with Sivasankar’s instructions. A full investigation must be carried out in this regard,” the report added.
Earlier today, Kerala Minister G Sudhakaran said Sivasankar, who had been questioned by the ED for five hours on Saturday, was a traitor and should be punished.
“There is no evidence that he (Sivasankar) was part of the gold smuggling case or any criminal case; this is being investigated by central agencies. However, that he has any links to the accused is ashamed and that is why he was dismissed … He will not be defended by anyone in this government ”, declared Mr. Sudhakaran.
The smuggling of gold allegedly through diplomatic channels came to light in July when a shipment disguised as diplomatic baggage was stopped by customs in Thiruvananthapuram.
The case was picked up by the National Investigation Agency after the Union’s Home Office said that “the organized smuggling operation could have serious implications for national security”.
Earlier, the NIA had told the court that around 200kg of gold was brought into the country by the union in this way.
