Kerala Gold Smuggling: NIA conducts raids at five places; documents, electronics seized

In a significant development in Kerala Gold smuggling racket, National Investigations ncy (NIA) on Friday conducted multiple raids on five locations in Kozhikode and Mallapuram. Evidence including electronics and documents have been seized by NIA. As many as 21 accused have been arrested so far and 29 have been me accused in smuggling racket.  case is currently being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED), NIA and Customs Department.

Meanwhile, ED has rejected  claims of coercion me in an audio clip purportedly by Kerala gold smuggling case "prime accused" Swapna Suresh. According to a PTI report, ED is digging deeper into money laundering trail that involves a number of people.

Also, Sivasankar, ex Principal Secretary to Kerala CM, who has been denied bail by a Kerala court for his alleged involvement in racket has moved high court for seeking bail.

Sivasankar h earlier filed an affidavit claiming that he was been pressurised by ED to name certain politicians, for which ED h given a counter in a sealed cover report with strong evidence, after which Sivasankar's custody was extended till vember 25 by Kerala court.

Sivasankar has w challenged special court's order by submitting a bail application in High Court. w it is to be seen wher HC will consider evidence enclosed in sealed cover while hearing bail plea of Sivasankar. 

CM Pinarayi Vijayan faces heat of opposition

Sivasankar's alleged involvement in scam while being principal secretary to CM Pinarayi Vijayan has led Chief Minister and his office to face allegations by opposition, of being complicit to massive Gold smuggling scam. Moreover, photos of CM with prime accused Swapna Suresh have also come to fore raising suspicion of CM's complicity to scam. Hence, opposition has also demanded CM to tender resignation.

Swapna Suresh, an ex-consulate employee, was appointed as manr of Kerala State Information Techlogy Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) by Sivasankar. ED h submitted evidence of calls between two ding that Sivasankar was directly involved with proceeds of scam highlighting that Swapna was totally under Sivasankar's control.

Reportedly, neighbours of Swapna Suresh have seen Sivasankar visiting her house quite often. This house has allegedly been used for planning smuggling operations. Customs raided his residence and obtained CCTV foot from various places where he met Suresh and or accused in past few months.

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What is Kerala Gold Smuggling scam?

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 who was appointed by Sivasankar as a manr in KSITIL. 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.

(Representative Im from PTI)

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