Kerala gold smuggling: Judicial custody of 3 accused extended; ED summons more people

On Wednesday, a special PMLA court in Kochi extended judicial custody of Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, accused in gold smuggling case till September 9. Enforcement Directorate informed  court that tices h been issued to more people who allegedly paid commissions to Suresh. In its report filed before PMLA court, ncy mentioned that Sane Venture LLP Director Vid PV h denied paying any commission to Suresh. 

It revealed that suspended bureaucrat M Sivasankar's chartered accountant Venugopal h a joint bank locker with Swapna Suresh. ED seized cash and gold ornaments from this locker. According to ncy, Venugopal mitted that Suresh h t informed him of source of cash and gold. 

Re: Kerala Secretariat Fire: BJP, Congress Claim Gold Smuggling Case Proof Destroyed By Govt

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 w working as  manr of  Kerala State Information Techlogy Infrastructure Limited. 

Following backlash over her appointment, she was sacked by state government. NIA has alrey registered an FIR against Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareed, Sandeep Nair, and ors. Various sections of  UAPA were slapped against aforesaid individuals. NIA has alleged that smuggled gold was t used for jewellery purpose but for funding terror activities.

On August 24, NIA arrested 4 more persons- Jifsal CV, Aboobacker P, Muhammed Abdu Shameem and Abdul Hameed PM in connection with this case. During searches carried out at houses of se accused persons in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts, several digital devices and incriminating documents were seized. So far, NIA has arraigned 25 accused out of which 20 persons have been arrested. 

Re: Kerala Gold Smuggling Case: NIA Arrests Four More People, Swapna Suresh Sent To ED Custody

Probe into destruction of files

Earlier in day,  Kerala government constituted a multi-departmental committee to inquire into technical causes of fire which broke out at state secretariat. Claiming that fire was coincidence, opposition alleged that files pertaining to Kerala gold smuggling case were destroyed in fire.  inquiry committee will focus on ascertaining probable cause of fire and quantum of losses including destruction of physical files. It shall also give a prima facie finding on possibility of sabot and steps to be taken for preventing such instances in future. 

Re: Kerala Gold Smuggling: NIA Seizes 982 Gms Gold, Rs 1 Cr From Swapna Suresh's Bank Accounts