Kerala gold scam: 5 accused sent to NIA custody; Swapna's bail to be heard on Thursday

In latest development in Kerala gold smuggling case, a special NIA court in Kochi sent five accused in case to NIA custody for three days. five accused Abdu PT, Sharafuddhin KT, Muhamm Shafeeq, Hamj Ali and Muhamm Ali, who h earlier been arrested by investigating ncy will w remain in NIA custody till October 14. NIA Court will hear bail applications of all five on Thursday, October 15. 

Meanwhile, decision to grant bail to primary accused Swapna Suresh still looms large. On October 5, Suresh was granted bail by Ecomic Offences Court in Kochi in case filed by Customs department. She secured bail because of failure of Customs to file a charge sheet in 60 days. However, she continues to remain in jail as owing to NIA case against her.

NIA special court has posted hearing for Swapna's bail application for Thursday. During arguments, counsel appearing for NIA submitted, "We have t received data retrieved by Customs department yet. It may take some time."

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What is Kerala gold smuggling case?

On July 5, Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at  Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic cargo dressed to a person in UAE Consulate. Sarith Kumar, who worked at  UAE Consulate was arrested in this regard. Reportedly, he told Customs about role of Swapna Suresh, an ex-Consulate employee working as operations manr of  Kerala State Information Techlogy Infrastructure Limited.

case took a political turn after photos with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan surfaced. It has been alleged that Suresh has links with CM and has been seen with him at parties when she was working at UAE Consulate. Following backlash over her appointment, she was sacked by state government. On July 16, Vijayan anunced that  suspension of his former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar pending departmental inquiry. It was reportedly found that he h violated All-India Services Conduct rules due to his connections with gold smuggling accused. 

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(With ncy Inputs)