Accused of gold smuggling case says that Diplomat is involved

On Thursday, the Home Ministry of India ordered a probe into the Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case. The Home Ministry ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the case of the seizure of 30 kg of gold from a diplomatic cargo addressed to the UAE consulate-general office in the Kerala capital. The Ministry said that the “organized smuggling operation may have serious implications on National security.

As per the close sources of the case, the NIA will register a case under the section 15,16, 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004. This case will be related to terrorist act and terror funding. “NIA probe will ensure a thorough investigation since the case involves an organized racket with international linkages, and was deemed appropriate given the implications for national and economic security of India,” said an officer. The internal NIA sources have confirmed that the probe will start as soon as possible. 

The case has created a stir in the state as the alleged involvement of a former staffer of UAE consulate-general Swapna Suresh. She was a part of in key social, political and bureaucratic circles and had active involvement. Moreover, it has also been found out that she was also related with the principal secretary to Kerala chief minister, M Sivasankar, who was removed from his post on Tuesday.

There is no trace of Swapna Suresh as she has been absconding since then. She however have filed a plea for anticipatory bail in the Kerala high court. Suresh claims that she had contacted the airport officer regarding the cargo on the alleged directions of top diplomat in the UAE consulate-general office, Rashid Khamis Al Shameli. She further added that she is working with the consulate under the “work on request” basis.

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